June 15, 2023 Generosity Celebration A gathering to recognize our founding donors and their impact on our first 3 years of success! What an incredible experience it was to come together for our Generosity Celebration and recognize the founding donors and community partners who invested in launching the Friends-Utah chapter three years ago. Thanks to their generous contributions, children in our community who face the greatest adversity, can have a dedicated professional mentor to walk alongside them for 12+ years, no matter what. Our Legislative Champion, Senator Luz Escamilla, kicked off the evening by sharing her vision for expanding Friend’s professional mentoring to more Utah children. Senator Escamilla is committed to advancing the well-being of Utahns through racial and gender equity, equal access to early intervention, education, and mental health services. We are grateful for her advocacy and leadership. Special guest, James Tyrrell, who went through the Friends program in Portland 15 years ago also spoke. He credits his mentor, John, with helping him deal with his father’s murder, being abandoned by his mother, and his family’s addiction and criminal issues. “It was consistency with that one positive adult in my life—John was my person,” said James. “If I didn’t have him, I don’t know where I’d be.” James went to college, works for the court system, and has a family of his own. We are grateful to James for sharing his story and showing us what is possible for our youth. Thank you to our presenting sponsors; O.C. Tanner Company, Scheel’s, and Jennifer and Phil Danielson. On behalf of the youth and families we serve, thank you to everyone who has been a part of our first 3 years of success. We want our youth to thrive, and this intentional, long-term commitment would not be possible without our amazing donors and community partners. Thank you for all you do! Watch Jimmy's Speech Here