A Year of Impact: kidsLINK Afterschool 2024–25

As the school year came to a close last month, so did another meaningful chapter for Greater Gallatin United Way’s kidsLINK Afterschool program, a year filled with growth, connection, and community support. More than 720 children across our region had access to safe, enriching spaces outside the school day—places where they could learn, build friendships, and thrive. These are the hours that working families rely on, and for many kids, they’re truly transformational.

Greater Gallatin United Way’s kidsLINK Out-of-School Initiative offers consistent, high-quality care through afterschool programs, morning care, PIR day camps, and school break camps at 12 local schools. With strong community backing, we also launched a new program in the Monforton School District and partnered with three additional schools by providing funding and resources to support their out-of-school programs. These partnerships reflect a shared commitment to making sure every child—and every family—has the support they need to thrive.

But kidsLINK is more than a program. It’s a community. Throughout the year, we hosted family engagement events and worked with local businesses, community organizations, and Montana State University to bring new experiences directly into our programs. From hands-on workshops and field trips to community-led activities, these moments sparked curiosity, built confidence, and helped kids feel seen and supported. Surrounded by caring adults and opportunities to grow, kidsLINK participants are developing into the leaders and changemakers our communities need.

Child care is a cornerstone of a thriving community. It supports families, sustains our workforce, and helps shape future generations. That’s why kidsLINK exists. We provide more than care; we provide consistency, stability, and peace of mind. For working parents, we are the bridge between the school day and the workday, offering a safe, structured environment where kids can continue to grow.

And the impact goes far beyond the present. Research shows that youth in high-quality afterschool programs are more likely to graduate, pursue meaningful careers, and less likely to experience mental health struggles or become involved in the justice system. When we invest in kidsLINK, we’re building a stronger, more resilient community—now and for the future.

Thanks to the unwavering generosity of our community, more than 147 children received $249,000 in tuition assistance this year. This vital support eased the financial strain on families and helped ensure that more children could access safe, reliable care. It also helps keep kidsLINK’s overall costs about 40% lower than similar programs in the region. None of this would be possible without the continued support of local donors, businesses, and foundations who recognize that child care is essential—not only for family well-being, but for the strength of our local economy.

2024–25 kidsLINK Supporters

But the work doesn’t stop here. We’re already making plans for next year’s kidsLINK programs for the 2025–26 school year, with registration opening August 4th. At the same time, we’re facing real challenges—a federal funding freeze and a new budget season threaten critical support for the families who rely on us.

To keep kidsLINK strong, affordable, and accessible, we need your help. Our goal is to raise $500,000 to ensure that every child has a safe place to learn and grow, and every working parent has the peace of mind that comes with reliable care.

Together, we can build a community where every family has the support they need to thrive.

Support kidsLINK today, because afterschool is just the beginning.

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