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Monday 8am - 4pm Tuesday 8am - 4pm Wednesday 8am - 4pm Thursday 8am - 4pm Friday 8am - 2pm

Friends of the Children - Eastern Montana

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Billings, MT
Friends of the Children - Eastern Montana

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Impacting generational change by pairing youth facing obstacles with a paid, professional mentor.

11/09/2026

That’s Ethan in front, one of our Friends (professional mentors). He sees the same youth every week, so as winter approaches, he knows who’s outgrown last year’s boots and whose gloves no longer fit.

Right now, a lot of our youth need the basics to get through a Montana winter: boots, warm socks, thermal layers, hats, gloves, and hand warmers. For their families, replacing all of that every year adds up.

If you’re able to help, we’d be grateful: friendseasternmt.org/donate

11/05/2026

Awards night is behind us, and the reading hasn’t slowed down a bit!

Last month, 45 of our kids got a Learning & Literacy Award from the Friend they read with every week, in front of a full Billings Public Schools auditorium. Since then they’ve picked right back up, at the Clubhouse, at school, and on library afternoons like this one.

Phillips 66 Billings Refinery sent them into the new year with a $100,000 gift to keep the read-alouds and one-to-one practice going.

Here’s the night and the people who made it happen: https://friendseasternmt.org/news/literacy-awards

10/31/2026

Happy Halloween from all of us at Friends of the Children — Eastern Montana. Whatever costume you’re wearing tonight, we hope your evening is safe, warm, and ends with a good pile of candy! 🎃

10/30/2026

The Knights of Columbus are once again supporting our kids and their siblings with winter coats, boots, and gloves. Thanks for keeping our children warm during the Montana winter!

10/27/2026

Four years ago, a few friends reached out to Nina Hernandez about a new organization coming to Billings that needed an executive director.

She’d been looking for something different. “There has to be something more innovative,” she told Yellowstone Valley Woman. Turns out, it was Friends of the Children, and Nina became our founding Executive Director!

Today, 50 kids across Yellowstone County have a Friend (professional mentor) for 12+ years, no matter what. Around them, she’s built a community of partner schools, board members, donors, volunteers, and neighbors who are pulling for the same kids.

Happy four years, Nina. Our kids, families, and all of Billings are lucky to have you!💙

10/23/2026

The bosses are out so some of us snuck away for a coffee before admin responsibilities!

10/21/2026

45 of our youth were celebrated for all their hard work in reading at our Learning & Literacy Awards Ceremony. Our Friends and team handed out the awards, caregivers cheered from the seats, and there were a lot of hugs on that stage. 💙

We’re so grateful to Janet Hardy of Phillips 66 Billings Refinery, who helped pass out awards, and to Dr. Erwin Garcia, Superintendent of Billings Public Schools, who shook every award winner’s hand. Phillips 66 also presented $100,000 to support another year of our Learning & Literacy program. Thank you, Phillips 66, for believing in these kids the way we do.

Congratulations to all our readers. We are so proud of you!

Read the whole story:
https://friendseasternmt.org/news/literacy-awards

10/15/2026

Before a child ever meets their Friend, our team spends time in their classroom, getting to know them alongside their teachers. We meet kids ages 4 to 6 through our 15 partner schools and through Montana Child and Family Services.

Once a child is enrolled, their Friend (a paid, professional mentor) keeps in touch with teachers and helps parents and schools stay connected.

We said it in our 2025 Gratitude Report, and we'll keep saying it: "When we partner closely with educators, the impact on each child's growth nearly doubles." To every teacher in our partner schools who's made room for us, thank you.

Learn more: https://friendseasternmt.org/how-it-works

09/18/2026

What a night! Our first annual Courtside with Friends event was a huge success, and we’re incredibly grateful to everyone who helped make it happen.

To everyone who attended, sponsored, donated, volunteered, cheered us on, and helped bring this event to life: thank you. We so appreciate your generosity, your energy, and your belief in the children and families we serve. 💙

Address

2613 Virginia Lane
Billings, MT
59102

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 4pm
Tuesday	8am - 4pm
Wednesday	8am - 4pm
Thursday	8am - 4pm
Friday	8am - 2pm

Website

http://friendseasternmt.org/

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