Generational Change Starts with the Power of One

June 2025

article by Tiffany Ricci | photo courtesy of Western Security Bank

Imagine what you could achieve if you worked towards a goal for 12 years? What if you committed to maintaining a consistent workout routine, ate three servings of veggies daily, or saved $10 weekly? The results would be amazing! Your efforts would compound over time.

This is the founding principle of Friends of the Children, this quarter’s Western Security Bank Hands of Hope recipient. Friends of the Children commits to the children they serve for 12 years, no matter what. They partner with schools, community organizations, and the foster care system to identify children ages 4-6 who would benefit from a long-term mentor relationship with a Friend.

Each child has a dedicated Friend who spends 14-16 hours per month with them. Some time is spent in the school setting, at the Clubhouse, or in the community. Friends are full-time staff and divide their time between 8 children.

A Friend is much more than an employee. They are the child’s steady rock, cheerleader, and consistent person in their corner. Nina Hernandez, Executive Director, says, “Friends of the Children offers a simple yet courageous and innovative model to bring joy and wonder to the child.”

This simple model is highly effective. The Harvard Business School Association of Oregon found that for every $1 invested in Friends of the Children, the community benefits over $7 in saved social costs. It’s cost-effective with tremendous outcomes such as:

92% of youth go on to enroll in post-secondary education, serve our country, or enter the workforce.
93% of youth remain free from juvenile justice system involvement.
98% of youth wait to parent until after their teen years. Of course, working with a child touches the child’s family.

Friends of the Children has a Family Engagement Specialist who helps to support the family. Positive outcomes happen here, too! A 3-year pilot project showed that when families at the highest risk of foster care entry have a Friend, children do not enter the foster care system. The ripple effect of a Friend can change a generational trajectory. Nina Hernandez shared, “We are changing the needle for the future of Billings, to do good in the long run.” With the 12-year investment of the one- to-one mentoring of a Friend, that is certainly true!

Learn more about this incredible organization and how you can help by visiting FriendsEasternMT.org.

Originally printed in the June 2025 issue of Simply Local Magazine

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Tiffany Ricci, RDN

Tiffany Ricci is married to her perfect match and is mom to three wild boys. She is a registered dietitian nutritionist and personal trainer. Tiffany co-owns Fueling Life Nutrition where she helps women athletes lose the food stress and make the most of their exercise.

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