Dear Friend,

In our second year serving Eastern Idaho, something remarkable has taken root: relationships that are changing lives.

This past summer reminded me why this work matters so deeply. Our Program Director Vannesa asked one of our youth how many siblings he had. Without hesitation, he said, "I have two brothers: my baby brother who just turned one, and my big brother, Eduardo," pointing to his Friend. When a child spontaneously claims their mentor as family, you see the power of showing up, week after week, with unconditional support.

These bonds don't happen by accident. They're built through thousands of hours of patient presence: four hours each week, 52 weeks a year, for 12+ years. They're strengthened through creative problem-solving, like when Eduardo helped Ricky discover that letters can be built from toothpicks and gumdrops. They're tested and proven when Dolly learns she can walk over to Chelsae when things get hard, take a breath, and try again.

This year marked significant milestones for our chapter:

We opened our American Falls clubhouse, creating a home base where youth and families gather, learn, and belong. We launched summer literacy and STEM camps, keeping 18 youth engaged during the months when learning gaps typically widen. We deepened our two-generation approach, now serving 80 individuals including youth, their siblings, and caregivers. Our community recognized this work by voting us Best Nonprofit in the Idaho State Journal Readers' Choice Awards. Most importantly, we watched youth transform from frustrated learners into confident students who believe in their own potential.

The stories you'll read in this report capture both the challenges our youth face and the resilience they're building. Eastern Idaho has some of the highest poverty rates and lowest kindergarten readiness scores in the nation. The youth we serve face significant barriers: economic hardship, housing instability, family trauma, and systems that haven't always worked for them.

But here's what we know: when children have a consistent, caring adult who believes in them unconditionally, everything changes. Not overnight, and not without setbacks, but steadily and surely. Our national network has proven this for more than 30 years. Now we're watching it happen right here at home.

Ricky's journey from struggling to hold a pencil to having some of the best handwriting in his class didn't happen because of one magic moment. It happened because Eduardo showed up every single week with patience, creativity, and belief. Dolly's growing ability to recognize her emotions and ask for support didn't come from a worksheet. It came from Chelsae being there, ready to help her reset and try again, as many times as it takes.

These stories represent just a fraction of the 4,431 miles our Friends drove this year to show up for youth at school, at home, and everywhere in between. They're a glimpse into the nine family engagement events where caregivers connected with each other and discovered they're not alone. They're evidence of what becomes possible when a community decides that every child deserves someone in their corner.

As we look ahead, we're working with partners in Pocatello, Idaho Falls, and other communities to expand our reach. Our vision is clear: every child in Eastern Idaho who needs a Friend should have one. We're not there yet, but with your continued support, we're building toward that future one relationship at a time.

Thank you for believing in this work. Thank you for investing in these youth and their families. And thank you for being part of a community that refuses to let barriers define our children's futures.

The stories in this report belong to all of us. I hope they inspire you as much as they inspire me.

With gratitude,

Gina Judd
Executive Director
Friends of the Children – Eastern Idaho