Priscilla is a mother in Billings, Montana, doing whatever it takes to keep her family together. Her son Blaire* has been enrolled with Friends of the Children – Eastern Montana for two years, paired with his Friend Ted — a paid, professional mentor committed to walking alongside Blaire for 12+ years, no matter what. That commitment has meant everything.

When Child Protective Services became involved with Priscilla's family, the Friends of the Children team didn't step back — they stepped in. When Blaire faced peer pressure that put him in an unsafe situation at home, Priscilla made a bold call: it is time to get out. Friend Ted showed up with his truck and helped Priscilla move her family to safety. The Friends of the Children – Eastern Montana team communicated directly with CPS, focused on one goal: keep this family together. And they did.

Today, the family is settled into stable housing, renewed for another year. Blaire is getting to school consistently, something that was a real struggle before. Now, when he makes it on time, Priscilla calls the team to share the news.

Blaire is Urban Indigenous. Priscilla is Crow, and Blair is Northern Cheyenne. Keeping Blaire connected to his Indigenous culture remains central to how Priscilla parents.

"Cultural identity is their protective factor," says Nina Hernandez, Executive Director of Friends of the Children – Eastern Montana. "It's what gets them through daily life."

Blaire has room to be a curious, energetic kid. And he has a mother who fought hard to give him that. Within Friends of the Children's national network, data from a 6-year pilot project show that when families at highest risk of foster care entry have a Friend, children don't go into care: Not a single child with a Friend has entered the system.

Friends of the Children has worked with families impacted by foster care for over 30 years — because when kids have a Friend, outcomes change. This is what 12+ years, no matter what, looks like: a Friend with a big heart and a truck, a team that advocates, and a family that stays together with love.

*Youth name changed to protect privacy