A Year of Meaningful Connection

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 the many individuals, organizations, and companies who partnered with us to make it all possible.

Launching Roots and Wings

This year, our Roots and Wings programs continued to create powerful spaces where our belief became reality.

• 100% of teens who attended reported feeling safe with a Common Thread mentor

• 100% of teens said they made a new friend during the program

• We served approximately 80 teens through Roots and Wings this year

• We maintained a 86% average attendance rate across our three completed programs

These numbers reflect more than participation—they represent trust, belonging, and the formation of lasting relationships.

A Place to Call Home

After years of operating without a dedicated space—using public areas and team members’ homes for storage—we’re thrilled to finally have a home for Common Thread in downtown Salt Lake City. This space has already become a hub for Teen Board meetings, team gatherings, and our Roots and Wings: Adulting 101 program, providing a consistent, welcoming environment for teens and staff alike.

Though modest in size, this office represents a major step forward in building a

long-term foundation for Common Thread. It allows us to deepen connections, show up more consistently, and better support the teens we serve, with hopes of expanding the space as our programs grow in the years to come.

Celebrating Leadership: A Well-Deserved Honor

We are proud to share that Rachel Garrett, our Founder and Executive Director, was named a Hall of Fame Honoree by the Utah Nonprofits Association.

This recognition highlights her compassion, grit, and unwavering commitment to supporting teens impacted by foster care and trauma. Her leadership continues to shape the heart of Common Thread and expand our impact year after year.

KUTV Pay it Forward Recipient

We were both honored and pleasantly surprised to receive a KUTV Pay It Forward donation this year. This generous support allows us to continue providing programs like Roots and Wings: Trailblazers, which give teens safe spaces, mentorship, and opportunities to grow.

We were excited to showcase a glimpse of the program, highlighting how donations directly impact the teens we serve—helping them build confidence, connection, and a sense of belonging.

Featured in The Scout Guide SLC

Common Thread has been selected as a nonprofit highlight in the upcoming 2026 Scout Guide SLC, a curated city guide that celebrates and supports local businesses and organizations.

2025 Impact at a Glance

This year has been one of growth, connection, and community-wide support. Here’s a snapshot of what we accomplished together:

• 20 events hosted

• 4 Roots and Wings programs completed

• 1 Teen Board leadership program 

• 100 program and Teen Board participants

• 750 teens served overall

• Over 3,000 volunteer hours contributed

• An estimated $125,000 in in-kind donations and services

Moving Forward

Each number tells a story—but the real impact lives in the teens who found safety, friendship, and a sense of belonging through Common Thread. As we look ahead, we remain committed to creating spaces where young people can build roots of stability and grow wings of independence.

Thank you to everyone—mentors, volunteers, donors, and community partners—who made this year possible.