Yellowstone Valley Animal Shelter

One of our 2020 Giving Back partner was Yellowstone Valley Animal Shelter. Animal Shelters often have an uphill battle when it comes to the public's perception, and YVAS is no different. Under a new Executive Director, YVAS has worked hard over the last two years to expand its programming and practices, providing top notch services to the 5,000 animals they serve a year. We're proud to have partnered with them to create a video to help showcase who they truly are.

Billings Library Foundation

In 2019 Graphic Finesse partnered with the Billings Public Library Foundation to help launch the state's first 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten reading program. Billings program will help light the way for other libraries throughout Montana.

1,000 Books Before Kindergarten is a national early childhood literacy program that promotes reading to newborns, infants, and toddlers while also encouraging parent and child bonding through reading.

Reading has been associated with academic success but public education typically doesn't start until ages 5-6 -- when children start kindergarten. 1,000 Books ... offers a fun approach to establishing and encouraging strong early literacy skills. Numerous libraries around the nation have adopted this program and now the libraries in the State of Montana are taking on this project as a group.

Graphic Finesse is proud to have partnered with Billings Public Library Foundation to conceptualize and produce the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten reading program promotional video.

Explorers Academy

Explorers Academy provides comprehensive services for young children and their families to achieve school readiness and lifelong success. Explorers Academy enhances the social and cognitive development of low-income children through the provision of education, health, nutrition, social and other services for children and their families. Explorers Academy is proud to serve children and families in Yellowstone and Carbon counties from their locations in Billings, Laurel, and Lockwood!

In 2018 Explorers Academy was able to open two STARS classrooms thanks to state-funded grants. These classrooms allow them to serve more children in our community, including some who would otherwise not be eligible for enrollment. Sarah, whose son Charlie is in one of our STARS classrooms, shares why she chose Explorers Academy:

"When Charlie had the opportunity to enroll in the STARS program, I couldn’t see why we wouldn’t do it...His teachers are top notch, the environment is amazing, and the program that’s offered to him can’t be beat in any other day care."