Earlier this week, the Carroll College Education Department found a small, handwritten note tucked into its door. It was from a young student at Broadwater Elementary, thanking Carroll “for making such a difference in our community.”
It was a simple gesture. But it spoke volumes.
For years, Broadwater Elementary, our neighborhood school just down the road, has been more than a partner. It has been part of the Carroll story. Faculty, staff, students, and alumni have built relationships there through classroom placements, tutoring, holiday events, and shared service efforts. Education students regularly complete field experiences and student teaching in Broadwater classrooms, learning firsthand what it means to serve and lead in Helena’s schools.
One meaningful element of this partnership today is a program that is both simple and powerful: Lunch Buddies.
The Lunch Buddies program began in fall 2024, spearheaded by Kyla Owen, a former Broadwater kindergarten teacher whose students included children of Carroll faculty, and Tom McGree, Carroll Class of 2000 and Chief Development Officer at Ascent Bank. Inspired by a similar initiative Kyla had seen in Vancouver, Washington, they launched the program to bring the same meaningful mentorship opportunities to Broadwater students. Today, Kyla, now a realtor and office administrator with Sherley Real Estate and a member of the Saints Athletics Association Board, continues to help guide the effort.
Volunteers began meeting with students in October 2024, gathering once a week or every other week over lunch. Since then, the program has grown steadily and is now active at both Broadwater and Bryant Elementary Schools.
The premise is simple. Some children in our local schools lack a consistent positive relationship with an adult. By spending just 30 minutes sharing a meal, asking about their day, and listening, volunteers can make a lasting difference.
“I love volunteering every week, and the impact in such a short amount of time is amazing,” shared Tom.
Because of Carroll’s long connection to Broadwater, our community stepped in to help during the launch of the program. Dr. Kathy Gilboy from the Education Department joined the effort immediately, helping connect volunteers and support the process.
Today, Carroll students, faculty, staff, and alumni are active participants. Over the life of the program, anywhere from six to twelve members of the Carroll community have volunteered at any given time, with more than a dozen others in the process of being matched or completing background checks.
What makes Lunch Buddies especially meaningful is the collaboration. It is not owned by one institution. It is built by neighbors. Carroll, Ascent Bank, Helena Public Schools, Broadwater Elementary, and individual volunteers come together around a shared belief that relationships matter.
The note left in the Education Department door is a reminder that this partnership is not just an idea on paper. It is personal. It comes to life in lunchrooms and classrooms. It is built through weekly conversations, shared laughter, encouragement before a spelling test, and the simple act of showing up.
For Carroll students studying education, psychology, nursing, business, or any field, Lunch Buddies offers something that cannot be replicated in a textbook. It offers the chance to practice presence and service in real time.
For faculty and staff, it is a tangible way to live out Carroll’s mission in our own backyard.
And for Broadwater students, it is the assurance that someone is there, just for them.
The Lunch Buddies program will continue into the 2026–2027 school year and remains in need of additional volunteers. Anyone interested, whether part of the Carroll community or not, is invited to contact Kyla Owen at 303-204-4459 by call or text.
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