SMYP Builds Hope and Leadership Through Pilot Program

Envisioning a positive future can be life changing. When kids have hope, they’re less likely to drop out of school or consider suicide. Helping them believe their future can be different is one of the most important things we can do.

With few options for childcare and youth programs in the area, Southwest Montana Youth Partners (SMYP) has stepped up to fill a big need for kids and families in Jefferson County.

Their first big project was the Boulder Child Care Facility, which can now provide care for up to 40 children, giving parents a safe and affordable place for their little ones to learn and grow. But SMYP didn’t stop there – they are now piloting a Youth Leadership Program for middle schoolers, aimed at helping young people discover their strengths, build confidence, and make a positive impact in their own backyards. Through hands-on projects and real-world leadership experiences, SMYP is helping local kids grow into the leaders their community needs.

We sat down with Rochelle Hesford, Executive Director of Southwest Montana Youth Partners, to hear how the Youth Leadership Program is empowering middle schoolers in rural communities, building confidence, and inspiring them to make a difference.

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What led to your focus on youth leadership development, particularly for 7th to 9th graders?

I worked in the school system for 20 years, and during that time, I directed out-of-school programs for Boulder, Basin, Jefferson High, and Twin Bridges. Early on, I noticed a drop-off in participation around sixth grade and wanted to find ways to re-engage students. We developed a service-learning club that gave kids opportunities to make an impact in their school or community, and I saw sparks!

I then dove into developing kids as leaders, especially 7th to 9th graders — a group that often feels disengaged. Leadership and community engagement have really woken them up, connected them, and gotten them to feel like they can make a real difference. For me, leadership has been an ongoing area of study rather than a single “aha” moment, and I love sharing that journey with these kids.

What kinds of community projects do the kids work on?

In our first cohort, one group planned projects with the residents at the retirement home in Boulder. Another worked on mental health awareness. One student organized a clean-up of irrigation ditches to keep trash from ending up in fields where animals graze. Another group created a short film on reducing, reusing, and recycling, and one student researched the benefits of peer-to-peer mentoring and presented their findings to the school board. In our next cohort, we hope a student will take on a project that involves testifying to the legislature.

What impact do you hope this program will have on the kids who participate?

I hope this program inspires kids to become engaged citizens who give back to their communities. In Boulder, many community groups are aging, and the biggest challenge they face is a lack of new volunteers. Our goal is to help raise the next generation of community leaders — kids who not only care about those around them and their environment but also have the tools to take action rather than just complain when they see something that needs fixing.

Can you share a story that illustrates how kids have grown through your program?

Our summer group was made up of mostly introverted kids. At first, they were hesitant to speak up, even within the group. We kept encouraging them, saying, “we really care about what you have to say, and we want to hear it!” By the end, those same kids stood in front of 50 people and spoke with incredible passion when they presented on their projects at a community event.

In our pre- and post-surveys, kids have reported a big increase in their ability to communicate their opinions to others. That’s huge for this age group, which is often shushed and overlooked. These students are passionate and intelligent, and this program helps them find their voice.

How does this program support kids’ mental health?

Hope has been a driver of this project, especially with the increasing hopelessness we’re seeing in Montana youth. This summer, I added questions about hope to our pre- and post-surveys, and the results were encouraging — their hope scales went up!

One powerful activity we do is ask the kids to write two stories: their present story and their future story. They can share their stories with the group if they choose, but what stood out was that while most chose not to share their present story, everyone shared their future story. Envisioning a positive future can be life changing. When kids have hope, they’re less likely to drop out of school or consider suicide. Helping them believe their future can be different is one of the most important things we can do.

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Thank you to Rochelle for sharing how this program is creating real change for kids in Jefferson County. As the program continues its pilot phase, Southwest Montana Youth Partners is working to expand its reach and impact. Learn more about SMYP on their website and support them through their year-end fundraising campaign. With your help, this program can inspire even more young leaders and maybe even find its way to your community.

Note: This interview has been edited for length and clarity.