Friends of the Children–Western MT celebrates one year of impact on Flathead Reservation
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News from Friends of the Children -Western Montana
POLSON — Friends of the Children–Western Montana is proud to mark one year of its Flathead Nation program, a long-term, culturally responsive mentorship initiative that pairs Indigenous youth with professional mentors. This year, the program will serve 32 children and more than 160 family members in 7 communities across the Flathead Reservation—doubling its reach since its launch last summer.
In its most recent enrollment, Friends–Western Montana received 56 youth referrals for just 16 available spots, highlighting both the deep community need and the program’s growing reputation as a trusted source of support and stability for children and families.
The Friends of the Children model enrolls children between the ages of 4 and 6 and commits to walk alongside each child for 12+ years, through high school graduation—no matter what. Each child is paired with a full-time, salaried mentor, known as a “Friend,” who provides weekly one-on-one support across school, home, and community settings. In the Flathead Nation program, all mentors are Indigenous and bring cultural knowledge and lived experience to their long-term relationships with youth and families.
The Flathead Nation program also includes a two-generation (2Gen) approach, offering comprehensive support not just for children, but for caregivers as well. A Family Engagement Specialist helps connect families to basic needs services, health care, and educational resources, while offering parenting support and building strong relationships rooted in trust and respect. Cultural identity is at the heart of the program, which includes summer culture camps, traditional games and crafts, and family events that celebrate tribal values and language.
“The Flathead Nation program is changing lives—because it centers Indigenous culture and community at every level,” said Michele Mitchell, Tribal Education Department Head for the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (CSKT), who also leads Project AWARE and serves on the Friends–Western Montana Board of Directors. “Our children see themselves reflected in their mentors. They’re learning traditional games, participating in culture camps, and being reminded every day that they are valued, resilient, and capable of great things.”
Over the past year, Friends–Western Montana has built a strong foundation with local schools, CSKT Education Department, and tribal leadership to ensure the program reflects the strengths and priorities of the community. The organization has also expanded its team, hiring two new full-time mentors to serve children one-on-one with consistent, relationship-based support.
“Our goal is to walk alongside each child for 12+ years, no matter what,” said Nicole Callahan, Program Director of Friends–Western Montana. “In just one year, we’ve seen children begin to thrive—academically, emotionally, and socially. That growth is a reflection of the power of long-term mentorship and the deep trust we’re building with families and the community.”
Caregivers are already seeing the impact of the program on their children’s development and confidence.
“We are not our children’s only influence—and being in this program means my granddaughter has the opportunity to grow up with more positive role models in her life, which will benefit her future,” said Cecelia Blodgett, grandmother and caregiver of an enrolled child in the Flathead Nation program.
For more information about the Flathead Nation program or to learn how to support its mission, visit: www.friendsofthechildren.org.
Friends of the Children–Western Montana is part of a national network dedicated to breaking cycles of poverty and trauma through long-term professional mentorship. The Flathead Nation program is one of only two Indigenous-led sites based on a reservation in the Friends of the Children national network. It is made possible through community partnerships, generous donors, and grant funding from public, tribal, and private sources.
