Students with presents

Mountain View Elementary School partnered with Youth For Tomorrow (YFT) during the holiday season to provide gifts for teenagers in need who live on YFT’s Bristow campus. The partnership brought together students, staff, and families in a meaningful act of service that highlighted the school’s commitment to compassion and community.

“This was such an amazing experience for our school,” shared Megan Lynn, a counselor at Mountain View Elementary. “Seeing our families come together to make the holidays brighter for these teens was heartwarming. It really shows the power of community.”

YFT operates a residential program that offers teens a safe and supportive environment in one of the homes on its campus. In addition to housing, YFT provides clinical and nursing services, case management, and education through its accredited secondary school. Many of the teens served by YFT have faced significant personal challenges, making community support especially meaningful during the holidays.

This year, the Mountain View community stepped up in a big way. Twenty families volunteered to shop for and wrap multiple gifts—ranging from clothing and toiletries to books and hobby items—ensuring every teen received something chosen just for them. School staff coordinated collection, wrapping, and delivery, turning the effort into a schoolwide celebration of generosity.

Students who helped wrap and load the gifts shared heartfelt reflections about what it meant to give to others.

"It was fun loading up the presents. It made me feel happy because I am giving presents to people who need them,” Victoria said.

Max added, “The best part was the joy of them getting something. It felt kind of nice to help them through this tough time."

The success of this year’s gift collection highlighted the strength of the Mountain View community. School leaders hope to continue supporting YFT in the future, building on a partnership that brings joy to both the teens who receive the gifts and the students who help make the effort possible.