Winter Fest Fun!

The Winter Olympics may have taken place it far-away Italy, but our youth, caregivers, Friends, and staff recently got a chance to meet Olympians right here at home! Thanks to support from Colorado Springs Sports Corporation, our youth attended Winter Fest at the US Olympic Museum and met five-time Olympic medalist Nastia Liukin.

As a gymnast herself, Emery* was especially excited to speak with Nastia and even discovered they share the same favorite event. Emery dreams of becoming an Olympian someday, and after their conversation, she was beaming with excitement and newfound confidence that she can achieve her goal.

Staff Spotlight: Jess Lyons

Last year, we proudly welcomed Jess Lyons as our new Chief Program Officer. With prior roles at the YMCA and U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Museum, Jess brings over 10 years of mission-driven leadership to Friends - Colorado. She has a proven track record of building innovative youth programs and strengthening community partnerships across Colorado's Front Range. Jess shows up every day because she is passionate about creating spaces where every child feels seen, supported, and empowered to thrive.

Jess was drawn to Friends - Colorado because of the power of our long-term commitment and the deep, lasting relationships we build with youth and families. When she's not championing young people, you'll find Jess cheering on her beloved Buckeyes or planning her next travel adventure.

Fostering Hope with Warren Village

We are thrilled to partner with trusted local organizations like Warren Village in Denver. Warren Village provides housing-embedded supportive services to families, including those who have been impacted by the child welfare system. In Colorado, the need is great—nearly 4,000 children are in out-of-home placements. The Friends of the Children model improves foster care outcomes, including reducing entries or re-entries into foster care and reducing lengths of stay. As we expand our footprint in Colorado, this strategic partnership with Warren Village will ensure we are reaching youth and their families who could benefit most from a paid, professional mentor. Rihanna* Builds Connections and Confidence Rihanna’s Friend, Tawnee, recently encouraged her to try something new: joining a local basketball team. Despite some hesitation, Rihanna not only showed up – she built relationships and confidence, too! Through practices and games, Rihanna has enjoyed connecting with her teammates and working together towards a common goal. She even discovered that her coach was deployed with her father, which helped her connect with a trusted adult. Friends help youth find opportunities to challenge themselves in a safe way while finding a community. Power Professional Mentoring for Youth Will you show youth like Everly, Emery, and Rihanna that they are supported by their community? Your gift powers long-term, professional mentoring for youth in Colorado: $50 – Supplies Supporter: Helps provide basic school or activity supplies for a child (journals, art supplies, snacks for visits). $100 – Experience Builder: Helps fund enriching outings and activities a Friend can do with a child (museum tickets, park passes, special events). $250 – Family Champion: Supports family engagement resources such as transportation assistance, family nights, or caregiver support needs.