April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, a dedicated time each year to recognize the importance of families and communities working together to prevent child abuse and neglect.
At Friends of the Children – Utah, we know that child abuse prevention starts with connection. Through our program's Two-Generation (2Gen) approach, we support both youth and their caregivers, strengthening family relationships, building resilience, and ensuring access to the resources and supportive environments every family deserves.
We kicked off this important month in a powerful way: with a visit from the CEO of Prevent Child Abuse Utah, Lauriann Thorpe. Laurieann presented to our team on the critical importance of prevention-focused work and gave us an in-depth look at the transformative home visiting services the organization provides to vulnerable families across our state.
Home visiting programs are one of the most evidence-based tools we have to break the cycle of abuse and neglect before it begins — connecting families with trained professionals who offer guidance, resources, and support right in the home. The research is clear: early intervention saves lives and changes trajectories.
What struck our team most was the depth of Prevent Child Abuse Utah's commitment — not just to responding to child abuse, but to preventing it in the first place. That mission aligns deeply with the heart of everything we do at Friends – Utah.
This month, we invite you to take action. Educate yourself about the signs of abuse and how to respond with resources from Prevent Child Abuse Utah. Support parents and families in your community. Look for opportunities to promote positive parenting by fostering respect and open communication.
When families are supported, children can thrive. đź’™
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Thank You Square Financial Services
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We are so grateful to be part of a community that shows up for kids!
Square Financial Services recently made a generous donation to Friends of the Children Utah, and Elise, our Development Manager, had the opportunity to attend their award luncheon celebrating the incredible nonprofits and partners who made it possible, including Square and the Community Foundation of Utah.
We were inspired by Utah First Lady Abby Cox as she spoke about the power of preventative programs for youth, the importance of literacy, and the need to walk alongside foster youth with consistency and care.
Thank you, Square Financial Services and Community Foundation of Utah for supporting our mission of putting children first!
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Coming Soon: Turn the Page on Summer Learning
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Summer is around the corner and we are gearing up to ensure our that resilient youth have every opportunity to learn, grow and thrive. The young people in our program are curious, resilient, and capable—and our professional mentors (Friends) show up every single week to make sure they have every chance to grow. This spring, we're channeling our energy into something big: Turn the Page on Summer Learning. Join us from April 27 to May 2 to support a summer full of learning and exploration!
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This spring campaign is all about literacy, one of the most powerful tools we can place in a child's hands. With your help, we're expanding our literacy initiative to ensure that over the summer months our youth don't just maintain their progress, they accelerate it. Our mentors are already doing that work — showing up week after week, book by book, breakthrough by breakthrough. Your gift during our spring campaign makes their work possible — and will have double the impact!
Thanks to a generous matching gift from Mark and Kathie Miller, the first $7,500 in donations between TODAY and May 2nd will be matched dollar for dollar. Give today to double your impact and empower Utah youth to thrive. The stories are coming. We can't wait to share them with you.
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Celebrating our Board During National Volunteer Month
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We want to take the opportunity to voice our sincere gratitude for our Board of Directors during this National Volunteer Month. These dedicated professional and community leaders share our passion for our mission and give generously of their time and talents to support youth and families here in the Salt Lake Valley. Thank you Stephen Foxley, our Board Chair, Evelyn Everton, Vice Chair, Tyler Weight, Treasurer, Brett Peterson, Secretary, and Board Members Stephanie Stokes, Vasi Katsikathas, RaeJeanne McCutcheon, and Diana Harter for all you do!
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Save the Date for Utah Gives
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Organized by the Utah Nonprofits Association, Utah Gives is a statewide day of generosity that brings people together to support the causes they care about most.
Early giving is open now, and the official giving day is April 30.
Because Utah Gives falls right in the middle of our Turn the Page on Summer Reading Spring Campaign, any gifts made through Utah Gives will support youth in our program throughout the summer by preventing summer learning loss, promoting literacy, and creating opportunities for kids to explore new experiences.
We hope you’ll join us in this statewide celebration of generosity and investing in the bright futures of the youth we serve.
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Friends of the Children - Utah
5361 S 4220 W
Suite B
Kearns, UT 84118
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