After a successful open house, Eastern Idaho’s chapter of Friends of the Children is moving forward in full swing.
Friends of the Children is a non-profit organization committed to impacting generational changes by providing challenged youth with caring mentors. They opened in American Falls in late October but have been able to accomplish much in their short time open.
One accomplishment was their recent open house where the community attended and learned about the Friends of the Children model that describes nine core assets that youth practice to have more optimism, better relationships, more perseverance and better self-management. The mayor of American Falls Rebekah Sorensen attended the open house, the superintendent of the American Falls school district and representatives of Sen. Jim Risch and Rep. Mike Simpson.
“We were so pleased. We had a lot of guests. People commented about the turnout and how many people came,” said Gina Judd the executive director. “To so many people that are really waiting and watching and ready to provide support and to see this benefit the youth in our community it was really humbling to see just how many good people recognize a good program and will work hard to make sure that it can succeed.”
The program identifies children between the ages of four to six who have a higher risk of a lifetime of hardship and pairs them with mentors, called friends, whose full-time job is to provide four hours a month with the child helping them with growth and also with fun.
The chapter has also been able to help many individuals and families. The chapter believes in helping not only youth but their caregivers as well.
“The youth and the friends and the caregivers have had the summer to get to know each other and to start to develop that trusting relationship,” Judd said. “That is the foundation of the goal setting and the growth-oriented activities that will come as we go.”
They are currently looking for volunteers to contribute to birthday presents for the children, a fund for healthy food the children can learn to prepare and by teaching classes based on their specialties to children, or their caregivers.
To connect with Friends of the Children in Eastern Idaho, visit friendseasternidaho.org.