AMERICAN FALLS – A local nonprofit that planted its roots in Power County in 2024 raised more than $68,000 during May’s Idaho Gives campaign — enough funding to expand and pair eight more at-risk children with trained mentors.

The Eastern Idaho chapter of Friends of the Children has already paired 16 children with paid, professional mentors called "Friends," who work with them one-on-one for 12-plus years, spending four hours per week with each child at school, home and in the community.

Originally founded in Oregon three decades ago, Friends of the Children opened a regional chapter in American Falls in March 2024. It was one of the top ten organizations that people donated to during the Idaho Gives Campaign in May, helping the chapter surpass a fundraising goal of $65,000.

Among many donors was Intelihub, which gave $12,500 — which helped unlock the triple-match challenge grants and inspired dozens of others to give, Friends of the Children – Eastern Idaho Executive Director Gina Judd said in a recent news release.

“We are deeply grateful to everyone who donated, shared our message, and cheered us on,” Judd said in the release. “Your support during Idaho Gives wasn’t just financial — it was a loud and clear message that our community believes in the potential of every child. The generosity of our community is opening doors for more children to receive the long-term support they need to thrive.”

The mentors for the 16 local children who have already been enrolled into the program since it first opened help youth focus on improving their academic progress, building resilience and helping develop social and emotional skills.

The program identifies children facing multiple systemic obstacles including poverty, child welfare involvement, parental substance use and a lack of mental health support, according to a news release Friends of the Children distributed in August last year.

The August news release shared that 13.4 percent of Idaho children live with someone with serious mental health conditions — the third-highest rate nationally.

To open the Eastern Idaho chapter, Friends of the Children raised $1 million in seed capital from diverse sources including Echo Fund, Silver Family Foundation, Intermountain Health, Cambia Health Foundation and the American Falls School District.

Third-party evaluations show the nonprofit’s work is successful. The evaluations show impressive outcomes for program graduates — 98 percent wait until after teen years to become parents, 93 percent avoid juvenile justice involvement, 83 percent obtain a high school diploma or GED and 92 percent enroll in post-secondary education, military service, or workforce, according to the August news release.

In the recent news release, Judd said the donations from Idaho Gives will help with the associated costs of the program, which include transportation, activities and youth and family engagement and support.

The local chapter will also be able to hire a third “Friend” and enroll an additional eight more children, with the possibility of adding a second location that would bring in a fourth mentor and eight more children.

The potential for a second location will depend on the results of an analysis currently being conducted.

Friends of the Children said it has plans to expand to Pocatello, Idaho Falls, and other rural and tribal communities in the news release sent last year.

The expansion is part of Friends of the Children's strategic focus on rural communities. The organization has grown from five to 34 locations nationwide over the past decade, building on 30-plus years of experience since its founding in Oregon.