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July 2026 |
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One of the greatest gifts we can offer the young people we serve at Friends of the Children – Utah is the opportunity to discover healthy ways to express themselves.
Earlier this summer, local artist Briar West led an art workshop at our Clubhouse, introducing youth to a creative process that became much more than an art lesson. As the room filled with color and conversation, many participants found a sense of calm and focus through their work.
"I just knew when I was making art, I felt relaxed," Briar shared with the youth.
We're grateful to Briar for sharing her talents and inspiring our youth to explore new forms of creativity and self-expression. Many of the pieces created through this partnership will be featured at Coloring a Brighter Future, our Art Exhibit Benefiting Friends - Utah on September 24, 2026. Learn more about the event here, and save the date to join us! |
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Thank You to Our Sponsors! |
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A heartfelt thank you to the incredible sponsors who have already committed to making Coloring a Brighter Future, our 2026 Arts Exhbit Benefiting Friends - Utah, a bright success. Your generosity helps create life-changing opportunities for the youth and families we serve while ensuring this special evening can make an even greater impact. We are especially grateful to Cambia for their leading support, along with SCHEELS, America First Credit Union, First Utah Bank, and Intermountain Health. Thank you for believing in the power of long-term, professional mentoring and for investing in brighter futures for Utah's youth. There's still time to join this incredible group of community partners. Sponsoring this event is an opportunity to showcase your commitment to Utah's youth while gaining meaningful recognition before, during, and after the event. Together, we can create lasting change for children and families across our community. We look forward to celebrating brighter futures with you on September 24! |
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Friends – Utah Awarded for Program Quality |
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We're proud to share that Friends – Utah has been recognized by our Friends of the Children Network for outstanding program quality. Our chapter received an Honorable Mention for the Program Health Award for Quality Time, recognizing the meaningful, consistent time our professional mentors spend with youth, and was named a Program Health Award winner for Youth Retention, celebrating our success in building lasting relationships that keep children and families engaged year after year. These recognitions reflect the dedication of our incredible Friends, staff, and families who make long-term mentoring possible. Together, we're creating the trust, stability, and belonging that help youth thrive, and we're honored to have that commitment recognized across the Friends of the Children Network. |
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A Friend Through Every Moment: Henry's Story |
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Henry* loves all sports, but baseball is his true spark, and it's always been a family affair, with family members cheering from the stands at every game. |
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Last year, Henry lost a family member he was extremely close to — the person who'd introduced him to baseball in the first place — to an overdose. He learned the news the morning of his first day at Friends – Utah's annual summer camp. Christian is Henry's professional mentor (called a 'Friend'), and that morning he stayed extra close by. By the end of the day, Henry was folding paper airplanes, watching one land upright, and lighting up with joy, if only for a moment. It's one of Christian's favorite memories, a reminder of how much impact this work can have even in the most challenging times for a youth. |
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Over the past year, Christian has continued to support Henry in processing this loss. To this day, before Henry swings the baseball bat, he thinks of this loved one and whispers, "this one's for you." Most of the youth in our program have faced significant adversity by age six, and having one steady, consistent person in their corner can make all the difference. Christian says he loves being able to give Henry space to just be a kid, even amid some of the heaviest days of his life. Christian is proud to walk alongside him through it all. Because healing doesn't happen overnight, neither does our commitment. Through 12+ years of unwavering support, Friends like Christian are there for every setback, every milestone, and every moment in between—helping youth build hope, resilience, and a future filled with possibility. *Youth name changed to protect privacy. |
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Help Youth Get Ready for Back-to-School |
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As a new school year begins, you can help set Friends – Utah youth up for success with one simple act of generosity. By purchasing an item from our Back-to-School Wish List, you'll provide essential supplies that help children walk into the classroom ready to learn, build positive relationships, and focus on their academic goals—instead of worrying about whether they have the tools they need. Your support also eases the financial burden on caregivers, helping families start the school year with greater confidence and less stress. Every backpack, notebook, and box of crayons makes a meaningful difference. Thank you for helping our youth and families begin the school year ready to thrive! |
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Partners in Every Promise |
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We promise to provide every child in our program with a consistent, caring professional mentor (Friend) to walk alongside them from kindergarten through high school graduation. That 12+ year promise is possible because of the generous investment of community partners who show up for our youth, time and again. We're grateful to recognize their recent support. The Syla Foundation envisions a world where children thrive and adults lead healthy, productive lives — a vision that aligns with the kind of steady, long-term mentorship at the core of our model. Their support helps bring this vision to life for the youth and families we serve We're also thankful for the Steven B. Achelis Foundation, whose "hand up" philosophy helps power our model, empowering youth to build better futures and see their limitless potential. Thank you to each of these partners for believing in Utah's children and helping build a stronger future, one child at a time. We look forward to highlighting more next month! |
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Our mailing address is: Friends of the Children - Utah 5361 S 4220 W |