In 2020, Friends of the Children – Utah began with a blank canvas and a bold vision: that every child facing the greatest obstacles deserves a consistent, caring adult by their side, no matter what.

Five years later, that vision is no longer just an idea. It’s a living, growing masterpiece.

Hanging on our clubhouse wall is a 5x4 foot canvas. A butterfly that was once just an outline, it is now filled with vibrant color and texture. Each brushstroke was added by a child paired with a professional mentor. Each layer tells a story of trust, growth, and possibility.

Today, that butterfly reflects 62 children across Utah who have a dedicated Friend walking alongside them.

This year’s Gratitude Report celebrates that journey.

It captures what happens when we make, and keep, a long-term promise:

• Children building confidence and skills as they grow
• Families demonstrating resilience in the face of real challenges
• A community coming together to invest in lasting change

Because this work is about more than a moment. It’s about showing up, year after year, as children navigate childhood and step into adolescence and beyond.

With strengthened partnerships and critical support, we’ve reached an important milestone: sustaining our commitment to every child we currently serve, while preparing to expand our impact to even more youth across Utah.

As we look ahead, we’re ready to begin a new canvas—one that will carry the stories of the next generation of youth discovering their own wings.

Explore the full story and see the impact you’ve made possible.

Thank you for being part of this masterpiece and for helping turn a simple canvas into a symbol of transformative change.