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January 2026 |
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Celebrating Progress and Building for the Future |
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When David* first met his professional mentor ("Friend"), Will, his world often felt overwhelming. Without the tools to express frustration or fear, David might scream, cry, or drop to the floor. These weren't just "behavioral issues"—they were the only way an eight-year-old knew how to say, "I'm hurting."
Will knew that changing these patterns required more than just redirection; it required sustained support through his consistent, caring presence. To help David navigate these big emotions, Will would stay calm and present, modeling how to breathe through the "storm" until the immediate crisis passed. He helped David build a vocabulary for his feelings. Instead of a physical meltdown, they practiced the simple, powerful phrase: "I need a break.” Will introduced David to a dedicated quiet space at the Friends of the Children - Utah clubhouse. Together, they practiced going there before the emotional response escalated.
The transformation has been profound. Today, David is no longer a passenger to his impulses. When he feels his temper rising or his chest tightening, he doesn't drop to the floor—he advocates for himself. He calmly asks for a break, heads to the comfort room to reset, and returns ready to talk through what happened. |
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David is only 8 years old, but he was able to develop self-awareness and patience that not only help him get through the day, but will stay with him into adulthood.
Will shares, “It is remarkable for an eight-year-old to show such growth; by mastering these tools now, David has built a foundation of patience and empathy that will stay with him for a lifetime."
We can’t wait to see the new milestones David reaches in 2026 and beyond!
*Youth name changed to protect privacy. |
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Thank You for Lighting the World with Us! |
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To everyone who chose to support Friends of the Children – Utah in the Light the World Giving Machines this past holiday season, we are incredibly grateful for you.
Your generosity will help us continue walking alongside Utah’s youth with consistent, professional mentoring and support. While it will take a few weeks to receive final details, we wanted to start 2026 by saying how much your support means to us. Because of you, more children will have a caring adult in their corner today, tomorrow, and for years to come.
We are incredibly thankful to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints for giving Friends - Utah this opportunity. We’ll be excited to share more about the impact of your generosity soon. Until then, please know how deeply grateful we are. Thank you for lighting the world!
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Partnering for Lasting Change on the West Side |
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With support from a Westside Community Grant from the Larry H. & Gail Miller Family Foundation, Friends of the Children – Utah is able to strengthen programming for youth and families we are serving in West Salt Lake neighborhoods this year. The Larry H. & Gail Miller Family Foundation emphasizes a place-based approach to philanthropy, and this type of investment is vital for creating sustainable solutions and addressing the social determinants of health, education, and skill development in our communities. Our unique 12+ year professional mentoring model is designed to create deep, generational change. By focusing on holistic support—including academic achievement, life-skills development, and caregiver empowerment—this grant is helping youth in West Salt Lake communities facing the greatest systemic barriers to achieve stability and define success for themselves. |
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This support translates to hundreds of hours of one-on-one professional mentorship, helping youth like Mateo*, a dual-language learner who needed extra help with reading, become an enthusiastic, confident reader with strong support from his mentor/Friend, Christian. *Youth name changed to protect privacy.
Thank you, Larry H. & Gail Miller Family Foundation, for believing in the power of sustained, relationship-based support to create resilience, educational equity, and brighter futures. |
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Supporting a More Vibrant Future for All |
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We are incredibly grateful to the Paul T. Walton Jr. Charitable Foundation for their recent significant gift to Friends of the Children – Utah. The Paul T. Walton Jr. Charitable Foundation is dedicated to enriching our community through several core pillars: promoting meaningful culture and the arts, preserving open spaces and historical structures, and fostering integrative wellness. Their mission also extends to facilitating education and vocational training, encouraging health through exercise and athletics, and empowering women and youth by removing barriers to growth and equality.
By investing in these critical areas, the Foundation creates a lasting impact that strengthens the fabric of our community and ensures a healthier, more vibrant future for all. Thanks to their generosity, Friends – Utah can work together to empower youth and remove barriers through the power of relationships with dedicated professional mentors. On behalf of our resilient children, thank you for investing in their future! |
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January is National Mentoring Month |
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January is National Mentoring Month, and at Friends of the Children – Utah, we’re celebrating the outcomes made possible through long-term, professional mentoring.
Because of consistent, one-to-one relationships with paid, professional mentors, the youth we serve are:
✔️ Building strong social and emotional skills
✔️ Staying engaged in school
✔️ Developing healthy behaviors and positive goals for their future
These outcomes don’t happen by chance. They happen because one caring adult shows up, week after week, year after year. Thank you for supporting Friends – Utah during National Mentoring Month and all year long!
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Our mailing address is: Friends of the Children - Utah 5361 S 4220 W |