Sho-Bans in the Spotlight: Truchot & Osborne empower youth at Friends of the Children
Lou Osborne with youth at the park in Fort Hall.
By LORI ANN EDMO
Sho-Ban News
FORT HALL — Two Shoshone-Bannock tribal members Vannesa Truchot and Lou Osborne are working with the Friends of the Children program to empower children and families.
Truchot is a program director and Osborne is a professional mentor or “friend.”
Vannesa Truchot
They are in the old kindergarten building next to the Fort Hall Elementary starting about a month ago in Fort Hall. The program is grant funded from Juvenile Justice funds and donations.
Friends of the Children (FOTC) is a non-profit organization with a mission to impact generational change by empowering youth who are facing great obstacles through relationships with professional mentors. The organization has researched nine core assets that guide the youth to help ensure they enter adulthood with a strong foundation for success and confidence in who they are. The core assets include growth mindset, belonging, hope, problem solving, perseverance and grit, self-management, self-determination, find your spark and positive relationship building.
Truchot said they’ve partnered with Fort Hall Elementary, Tyhee Elementary, Chief Tahgee Elementary Academy and are taking referrals from any child caring agencies.
As a Program Director, Truchot said her role focuses on leading and supporting initiatives that help improve outcomes for the youth and families they serve. “My day-to-day responsibilities include overseeing program implementation, mentoring and supporting staff, building relationships with community partners, and ensuring our services are aligned with our mission and values.” A big part of her work also involves strategic planning, strengthening community connections, and helping expand awareness of their organization within the region.
Truchot continued, “What I enjoy most about my job is the opportunity to make a meaningful, long-term impact in the lives of young people. I value being able to work alongside a dedicated team and community partners who are equally committed to creating positive change. Seeing growth in the youth we serve, as well as the increasing support from the community, makes the work incredibly rewarding. It’s a role that challenges me but also gives me a great sense of purpose and fulfillment.”
Lou said she began her job April 29 and so far, she is really enjoying it. “I love working with the kids and I’m super excited I get to help my community out in a way.” Because it’s new to the community she has a hand in helping to get it started, “Besides my training I have been helping our program by using my connections to the community from my past experiences to better get the word out,” she continued.
