EVENTS & PROGRAMS

This summer, we had a unique session of Equine Therapy that not only had an incredible impact, but also showed us how vital these programs are for teens and families. We hosted a 5 hour equine therapy session where each teen who was selected to participate was able to choose a caregiver to attend and work through the session with them. The focus of this session was to participate in activities that encouraged healing to the teen/caregiver relationship, open the doors to comm

Song: Celebration by Kool & Gang After months of work, preparation, connecting to with the community, and gathering supplies, it was time for our biggest and most sought after annual community event - Back to School. Every teen deserves to start the school year with confidence knowing have the supplies and support they need, and have that special touch of a new school year hair cut. That's what lands at the heart of our back to school events each year. Staff, volunteers, and

Song: Safe and Sound by Capital City We had an incredible and unique opportunity to be hosted by the Unita-Wasatch-Cache National Forest Services. We enjoyed an evening of fresh canyon air in Millcreek canyon, reaping the benefits of being surrounded by nature. We were well taught by the Forest Ranger Services about fun wildlife and forest facts and about "Leave No Trace", helping us all better understand how we can take care of the beautiful canyons and nature around us. At

Lake Day was such a blast last year, we had to do it again. We headed to Mountain Point Lake and Hot Springs to beat the heat, embrace the sunshine, and enjoy the refreshing lake water. More than 50 teens joined us for an evening of good food and great company. We enjoyed a fresh taco bar from a local restaurant, Taqueria La Palapa, a fun soda bar, and plenty of time on the water. One of the highlights was watching so many kids try paddle boarding and kayaking for the very fi

We had such a great time during the Roots and Wings: Rise and Ride program we did with the Chill Foundation, that we decided to do another program with them, this time with skateboarding. Over five weeks, teens showed up and connected through the sport, being outdoors, and experiencing new things. As with the Rise and Ride program, each week teens were taught about a life value. Through this they learned what it means to respect themselves and each other, found the courage to

A whole year has passed since we hosted our first ever Equine Therapy program- Roots and Wings: Trailblazers, and we were so thrilled to host it again in 2026. This year, we worked with Common Ground Collective near Park City, with an incredibly supportive group of adults, while being surrounded by horses, nature, and opportunities for growth.. Each program is as unique as the teens who participate in it, but with each week comes incredible breakthroughs that show how vital t

Song: Man I Need by Olivia Dean Bringing back our monthly events have been an incredible hit with our community. Each month teens gather for good, wholesome fun, all centered around joy and connection. This month, we enjoyed the sunshine and classic park fun. We headed to a beautiful park in Murray to enjoy volleyball in the sand, an incredible game of kickball, skateboarding, and a game of mafia- a Common Thread classic. To add a fun spin and beat the heat, we included a sod

Song: Gold by Myles Smith Saturday was our big Spring Event, and it did not disappoint 🌸 Teens came together for an unforgettable day filled with energy, laughter, and connection. The highlight? A massive egg hunt featuring over 1,000 eggs—including TWO golden eggs hidden somewhere in the mix. The excitement was real! Beyond the hunt, the day was packed with interactive games like tug-of-war, musical plates, a water balloon toss, and even human tic-tac-toe. Everywhere you lo

This season, Common Thread partnered with Chill Foundation to bring teens an unforgettable experience on the mountain—one that went far beyond learning how to snowboard. Over the course of eight sessions, teens showed up ready to try something new, challenge themselves, and support one another along the way. For most, it was their very first time on a snowboard. What started as uncertainty quickly turned into determination, growth, and a whole lot of unforgettable moments. Sn

SONG: FUN, FUN, FUN BY THE BEACH BOYS Game Night brought incredible energy from start to finish, creating a space where teens could relax, connect, and simply have fun together. With great food, friendly competition, a little magic, and plenty of unexpected moments, the night was anything but ordinary. From the moment the games began, the room was filled with laughter and excitement. Teens jumped into a mix of classic favorites and new challenges, quickly turning simple games

At Common Thread, we believe that every teen deserves to feel safe, seen, and connected. While we intentionally stepped away from our monthly events this year to focus on launching our Roots and Wings programs, our mission remained at the center of everything we did. This shift allowed us to deepen our impact—creating more consistent, relationship-driven experiences for teens who need it most. We’re incredibly proud of what we accomplished this year and deeply grateful for t

Song: Underneath the Tree by Kelly Clarkson This holiday season, we made an intentional shift toward a more intimate, experience-based gathering—one that centered connection, dignity, and creating something truly memorable for the teens we serve. In partnership with Hill Top Hospitality and Urban Hill, we had the opportunity to host 45 teens for an incredible fine dining experience. From the moment we walked in, it was clear this day would be special. The space was beautiful—

Adulting 101 was filled with hands-on learning, meaningful conversations, and the kind of connection that helps teens step into their futures with confidence. Each session offered something different—new skills, new challenges, and new ways to show up for ourselves and each other. Week 1: Navigating TRAX & Navigating Independence We kicked things off alongside the 1999 Collective with a crash course in the SLC TRAX system. After dinner and treats from Kneaders, we jumped into

Song: What A Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong This giving season, something incredible happened in our community. One of our dedicated Common Thread volunteers, Mariah, along with her network of generous helpers, stepped forward in a big way. Together, they represented Common Thread with so much heart and delivered 31 full Thanksgiving dinners to families in our community. Each dinner was large enough to serve 10 people, meaning more than 300 individuals were nourished this

This Halloween, 30 teens came together to experience the magic of Cornbelly’s, and it was everything we hoped for and more. From screaming their way through haunted houses to racing down the giant slides, weaving through the corn maze, and challenging each other to classic fall games, the night was packed with energy and joy. What stood out most was the way the teens connected with one another—laughing, cheering each other on, and creating memories that will stick with them l

This past Saturday, Common Thread hosted our annual Back-to-School event—and it was nothing short of extraordinary. Hundreds of teens poured in throughout the day, ready to gear up for a new school year. What they found was not just supplies or services, but a community showing up for them in the most generous and heartfelt ways. More than 40 professionals—including barbers, hairstylists, makeup and brow artists, nail technicians, and estheticians—donated their time and exper

Lake day was EVERYTHING! It was a day to celebrate summer, nature, and connection. We spent a perfect summer afternoon at Mountain Point...

This spring, our teens dove into powerful, trust-building experiences in nature and alongside some incredible animals. Whether navigating...

Song: Shut Up and Dance by Walk The Moon Common Thread Prom was truly out of this world! Teens arrived dressed to impress and ready to...

We’re still glowing from the joy and energy of an unforgettable day! More than 70 teens walked away with full prom looks—stunning...