Fall 2025 Newsletter by Deanna Johnson

A HOME THAT HOLDS HOPE

Autumn is a season of transition of letting go, preparing for what’s next, and finding beauty in change. Our Transitional Living Program embodies that spirit. It’s where families move from survival to stability, from dependence to empowerment.

What makes it so special isn’t just the services it’s the feeling of home. For many families, it’s the first time they’ve had a space that’s truly theirs. A place where bedtime routines can be reimagined, where laughter echoes in the kitchen, and where healing happens in the quiet moments between appointments and playtime.

Staff members often describe the joy of watching children settle into their new rooms with wide eyes and giggles, choosing favorite books from the shelf or helping decorate the fridge with crayon drawings. These small, everyday moments are sacred they mark the shift from surviving to belonging

Parents begin to dream again They set goals, make plans, and rediscover their strengths With each passing week, confidence grows. The apartment becomes more than shelter it becomes a symbol of possibility.

“I’ll never forget the moment one of our clients stepped into her new apartment. Overcome with emotion, she burst into tears and said she couldn’t believe she got to live there! Her gratitude and the transformation that happens when a family receives the tools and support to thrive will stay with me forever.”

Liz Flynn, Marketing Director

MISSION STATEMENT

Florence Crittenton provides innovative, comprehensive services and nurturing programs that engage and empower children, young adults and young families to thrive and build productive lives

OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Collette Hanson, President

Lisa Nelson, Vice President

Jim Carney, Treasurer

Jamie McCullough, Secretary

Christopher Betchie

Amy Deitchler

Danielle Durkin

Erica Johnston

Wendy Murphy

Creeana Rygg

WHO WE ARE

Florence Crittenton is a leader in family and early childhood services We provide effective intervention and prevention services to families of young children. With the support of partners like you, Florence Crittenton offers a comprehensive array of services, including therapeutic residential care, home visiting, community parenting classes, outpatient treatment services for mental health and substance use disorders and early education and childcare opportunities for children 0-5.

Dear Friends,

Greetings from Florence Crittenton! As the summer winds down and we begin to look towards the fall, with its cooler weather, and better routines that come with the school year, I can’t help but think about the many transitions this time of year brings, and what a big moment these transitions can be in our families lives Having just dropped my oldest child off at college quite far away, I have to say this really hits home for me this year.

After spending a week readjusting to the new normal in my house, I was lucky enough to be able to attend our Pre-K graduation celebration in our Child Enrichment Center. As I watched kiddos so full of confidence as they marched in and sang their songs, while their parents beamed with pride (and maybe a tear in their eye), I realized their transition to Kindergarten was not very different from my family’s with our daughter headed off to college. Both are the ending of an era for families, a change in how their daily lives will look, and a big, exciting, and sometimes scary step for their children There are many unknowns in these transitions, and with them come a flood of emotion, wariness and anticipation.

As I reflected on these last few weeks of experiencing my own, and witnessing others’ transitions I thought to myself, how lucky are we? How lucky are we that our families’ lives are so stable that a natural life transition can feel so monumental. How lucky that we have seen our children grow and thrive, and are in a place that they can continue on to something even greater. And how lucky am I that I get to see these transformations and transitions for so many of the families we serve at Florence Crittenton. Because we were there for them, and because their parents have fought so hard and overcome so much, these children are growing, thriving, and moving on to greater adventures

I wish any of you that are entering these transitions this fall the very best Know you have done everything you can to support your children and they are ready for their next great adventure And know that because of your support, the children at Florence Crittenton too are ready for their next big step!

With Gratitude,

Carrie Krepps, Executive Director

SAVE THE DATE!

Saturday, February 14, 2026

You are cordially invited to an unforgettable evening of glamour, intrigue, and generosity at Paint the Town Pink! Step into the dazzling world of Monte Carlo, where elegance meets excitement in a setting inspired by timeless sophistication. Join us for an incredible evening filled with cocktails, fine dining, captivating speakers, live and silent auctions and music and dancing to Vinyl City Take a chance on families and help us turn hope into action as we raise funds to make a lasting impact.

LIVES TRANSFORMED

“Liza started at CEC when she was just one and had a hard time adjusting, but the staff’s patience and kindness made all the difference Now she runs in every morning with a smile, excited to see her friends and teachers CEC has truly become a second home for our family, and we couldn’t be more grateful!” - CEC Parent

“We have had three children attend the CEC program and can speak of nothing but the quality care they have received! The CEC intentionally keeps child to adult ratios low to allow for quality care and attention to the children that attend I have witnessed the CEC staff navigate children of all backgrounds and levels of need The staff are dedicated to the children they serve The staff consistently advocate for the needs of the child and are creative in finding ways they meet each child where they are at. My oldest son has had a smooth transition to public school thanks to the CEC focus on emotional regulation and learning through play, rather than focusing more on traditional education such as math, writing, etc (although those things are integrated through play!) My children were accepted in each classroom they attended and built meaningful relationships with their teachers. Thank you to the dedicated staff who show up every day, even when it's hard, and support the most vulnerable little humans in our society! “ CEC Parent

Our Family Healing Center runs Parenting Classes throughout the year that are available to the public and also to organizations who would like our facilitators to come to their business to teach classes for their employees For more information click the QR code or visit florencecrittenton.org

“Overall I felt like I had a good relationship with my kids, but definitely had a temper and a shorter fuse when my kids and/or I would start to get stressed out. Sometimes I used to feel like a cardboard cutout that folded under pressure. After this class I feel that I have a sturdy base to support my kids. I would definitely recommend this class to other parents It helped my wife and I have patience with our kids as they navigate their surroundings and emotions ” - Circle of Security® Parenting™ Class

“I am a single father that was ordered to attend this class by court. My relationship with my kids was ruptured but we are doing way better now. This class gave me a lot of insight for parenting and the group format was very supportive in a way that is good I believe this class should be offered to every new parent bringing a newborn into this world. It has greatly improved my family dynamic and relationship with my kids. I feel much more supportive as a father.” - Circle of Security® Parenting™ Class

Circle of Security® Wednesday

January 7, 2026 | 5:00 - 6:30 PM

Connected Parenting Thursday January 8, 2026 | 5:00 - 6:30 PM

We’re just $3.2 million away!

The renovations of our new campus are in the final phase and we’re seeing our dreams realized! This facility will serve our community and state for the next century and beyond – and that is incredible! Our campus will be a beacon of care and hope, serving more families, expanding programs, and nearly doubling the number of children in our Child Enrichment Center.

As we celebrate 125 years of service, we invite you to help us complete the funding for Project Sunshine. Our goal is to cross the finish line debt-free so we can focus all funding on our clients and programs for families. Scan the QR code, visit us online, or mail a check to help make this dream a reality.

LEAVE A LEGACY

WITH A TRANSFORMATIONAL GIFT, NAMING RIGHTS ARE AN OPPORTUNITY WE WOULD BE HAPPY TO EXPLORE WITH YOU.

SCAN HERE

(Hover your phone camera here to link to our website)

What will your legacy be? Do you want to make a statement about your beliefs in family and your community? As you begin planning for the future, building a legacy within the Florence Crittenton family is a perfect opportunity to ensure this world is a better place for your community, your family, and our collective future.

WAYS TO GIVE:

Consider these options to ensure you care for your family and community in the most beneficial way:

Earmark a set dollar amount, or specify a percentage of your estate, in your will or trust – in any range you feel comfortable – to Florence Crittenton or the Florence Crittenton Endowment

Leave a residuary gift to Florence Crittenton, or our Endowment. The residuary is what remains of your estate after other distributions have been made.

If you are looking to take advantage of Montana’s incredible charitable tax credits, consider making a planned gift, such as a Deferred Gift Annuity. These gifts can earn you income!

For more information, please call Heather Greene at (406) 413-7042 or email heatherg@florencecrittenton.org.

With the Holidays approaching, Florence Crittenton is inviting community members to become Santa’s Helpers and help create a joyful Christmas for the young mothers and mothers-to-be we serve. Instead of traditional gifts, we’re asking for gift card donations (Amazon, Walmart, Visa, Hobby, etc.). A gift card in any amount can help make this season meaningful and memorable for our families. If you’d like to be part of this special effort, please reach out to Malena at malenaa@florencecrittenton.org.

FLORENCE CRITTENTON TRAINING

INSTITUTE GAINS TRACTION ACROSS THE HELPING PROFESSIONS

Florence Crittenton’s Florence Crittenton Training Institute (FCTI) is rapidly becoming a vital resource for professionals in highstress fields, such as social work, education, and law enforcement FCTI, building on Florence Crittenton’s expertise in traumainformed care, provides practical training to help individuals recognize and manage the impact of trauma while fostering resilience.

FCTI’S CORE OFFERINGS INCLUDE:

Secondary Trauma: Hands-on tools for identifying and

coping with trauma exposure.

COMING SOON! Facilitated Attuned Interactions (FAN): Relational supervision model launching April 2026

SafeCare Home Visiting Training & Coaching: accredited

Workforce Parenting Education Classes: Onsite classes for employees, focusing on secure attachment and practical parenting strategies. training for professionals supporting families and parenting skills.

FCTI offers these trainings through in-person and virtual formats, with early feedback praising their practical relevance and supportive approach.

A newly forged partnership with the Montana Attorney General’s Office marks an exciting chapter for the Florence Crittenton Training Institute In a recent internal communication, the Attorney General’s Chief of Staff, Will Selph, shared this message:

“We are thrilled to collaborate with Florence Crittenton’s Training Institute to provide high-quality, trauma-informed training to our staff and community partners.” This new alliance demonstrates a mutual commitment to equipping public servants with the essential skills and support needed to face trauma exposure, while upholding both professional excellence and personal wellbeing

Executive Director Carrie Krepps sees FCTI’s growth as a reflection of Florence Crittenton’s desire to expand our reach within our mission of building strong communities.

“We’ve always believed in supporting people through life’s hardest moments,” she says “FCTI allows us to do that in a new way by equipping the professionals who are out there every day doing the work to be able to care for themselves in a meaningful way. When we care for those who care for others, we strengthen the whole community ”

As interest in the Training Institute continues to grow, Florence Crittenton remains focused on listening to the needs of the field and adapting its offerings accordingly FCTI is not just a program it’s a movement toward healthier workplaces, stronger teams, and more resilient communities.

Daniel Champer’s, our Clinical & Residential Services Director, led a “Harder Side of Helping” keynote training at this years Great Beginnings, Great Families Conference.

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3404 Cooney Drive, Helena MT 59602

Permit No.76

District 37 approved

Clash for a Cause Clash for a Cause

Get ready for an epic evening where the fiercest football rivalry in the Treasure State fuels compassion and community support We invite fans of the University of Montana Grizzlies and Montana State Bobcats to compete---not on the field, but in a battle of giving at our Clash for a Cause

Whether you bleed maroon or blue and gold, bring your team spirit and your heart---we’re turning rivalry into impact