May 04, 2022 Friends of the Children Brings Friendship and Stability to Children Facing Obstacles, NBC Montana Smiles, laughter, and friendship were featured on NBC Montana the weekend of April 30 Friends of the Children was profiled on the NBC Montana affiliate (KECI Missoula) the weekend of April 30. The segment showcased our professional mentor (‘Friend’), Kinley Pope, and one of the amazing children we have the honor of serving. Friend Kinley Pope shared why our work is so important. “Families need a little bit of extra support around them. They do such a great job of loving on their children but sometimes systems get in the way that make it hard for them to provide for their family,” she said. The pair spent time with the NBC reporter, Sierra Ryder, working on a fun craft project at our clubhouse for national Poem in Your Pocket Day (notice the excitement around using the whole puncher) and playing at a really fun neighborhood park. Friends-Montana program director, Stacy Houge, emphasized the importance of children having a Friend in their life. “The evidence shows that the number one factor to having a safe, stable life, and being successful is having a caring, stable person in a child's life. And so that's what we provide because we start at four to six, but then we follow that child all the way through high school,” Houge said. “Smiles, laughter and friendship are the goals of the organization, Friends of the Children, a non-profit working to bring friendship and stability to children facing obstacles” is the lead in for the story. We couldn’t have said it better ourselves. Watch the clip here!