Friends of the Children receives $5,000 literacy grant

Friends of the Children–Western Montana recently received a $5,000 grant to support its youth literacy program from the Dollar General Literacy Foundation. The grant was part of more than $4.1 million recently awarded to nonprofit organizations, libraries and schools in Dollar General’s hometown communities across the country to help K–12 students.

“Strong literacy skills can open doors for children throughout their lives,” said Nicole Callahan, Flathead Nation program director, in a press release. “This grant will help our professional mentors provide engaging, individualized learning opportunities that build children’s confidence and encourage a lasting love of reading.”

Friends of the Children–Western Montana pairs children facing the greatest obstacles with salaried, professional mentors called Friends. Its Indigenous-led Flathead Nation Program currently serves 32 youth attending 11 schools across the Flathead Reservation. Beginning between the ages of 4 and 6, each child receives consistent, individualized support through high school graduation.

Callahan noted that improving academic achievement and strengthening literacy skills are important goals of each child’s long-term mentoring relationship.

Professional mentors strengthen youth literacy through reading, journaling, literacy games, library visits and reading challenges. Youth can also select books from the program’s library to take home and keep.

Beginning in 2027, an Academic Achievement Specialist will provide one-on-one tutoring to complement long-term mentoring. The Dollar General Literacy Foundation grant will support books, educational materials and literacy activities that help youth become stronger, more confident readers. 

 “We are grateful to the Dollar General Literacy Foundation for investing in the potential of youth and families in our community,” said Callahan. 

"When students have access to books, technology and educational resources, they gain tools that can support their learning for years to come," said Denine Torr, executive director of the Dollar General Literacy Foundation. Each year, DGLF awards funds to nonprofit organizations, schools, and libraries within a 15-mile radius of a Dollar General store or distribution center to support adult, family, summer and youth literacy programs.

A comprehensive list of grant recipients may be found online at www.dgliteracy.org.

Friends of the Children–Western Montana is completing renovations at its new Flathead Nation program center, located at 124 Main St. SW in Ronan, and aims to relocate there in early 2027. For more information, visit friendsmontana.org.