Across our rural communities, one thing is clear: our youth are facing real challenges—but they are also full of strength, resilience, and potential. The question is not whether our young people care about each other. It’s whether we are giving them the tools, support, and opportunities to lead.
That’s where Hope Squad comes in.
Hope Squad is a peer-to-peer, school-based program focused on suicide prevention, connection, and building a culture of care. Students are nominated by their peers as trusted individuals—those who others naturally turn to when they need someone to listen. These students are then trained to recognize warning signs, offer support, and connect their peers to trusted adults.
It’s not about turning students into counselors. It’s about empowering them to be the bridge.
In communities like ours, where resources can be limited and distances are long, that bridge matters. A lot.
Hope Squad helps create something every young person deserves:
A sense of belonging
Trusted connections
The confidence to speak up and seek help
And just as importantly, it helps break the silence. It replaces stigma with understanding and isolation with connection.
Locally, we are proud to stand alongside Hope Squads from: Cambridge, Council, New Meadows, McCall, Donnelly and Cascade. Together, we are building stronger, more connected schools.
Through partnerships with schools and community organizations, including efforts across the West Central Mountains region, we are working to build a stronger, more connected network of support for youth and families. Programs like Hope Squad are one piece of a much bigger picture—one that focuses on prevention, early support, and community-wide engagement.
This work doesn’t happen alone.
It takes partnerships. It takes commitment. And it takes communities willing to invest in their youth—not just when there’s a crisis, but before one begins.
As we approach Idaho Gives (May 4–7), we invite you to be part of that investment.
Your support helps us: Expand programs like
Hope Squad into more schools
Provide training, mentorship, and resources for youth
Strengthen regional collaboration across communities
Build long-term, sustainable prevention efforts
Every dollar goes toward creating environments where youth feel seen, supported, and valued.
Because when young people have hope—and know where to find it—they are more likely to thrive.
Join us in building that future.
Donations can be made here: www.idahogives.org/organizations/idaho-west-central-mountains-youth-advocacy-coalition-yac
Together, we can continue to grow a culture of connection, resilience, and hope across our region.
