🗓️ Only 1 week left until the big day!! Movie lovers unite for an immersive film experience to support the power of film!!! 🔗 Click the link in our bio for more information #poweroffilm #createakinderworld #justlikeyoufilms #kansascitycharityevent (fb)

🤝 Getting to know Board Member Carron Montgomery What’s one fun fact that people might be surprised to learn about you? I went canyoning in Interlaken, Switzerland—an adrenaline-filled adventure through mountain gorges. I jumped into crystal-clear pools, slid down natural rock chutes, rappelled down waterfalls, and climbed and swam through narrow rock passages. What was your dream job as a kid? To be a special education teacher is a veterinarian. What’s your go-to song when you need a mood boost? Fast Car by Luke Combs What’s your favorite way to spend a weekend? Watching my kids play sports, reading, and having a family night. What inspired you to get involved with Just Like You Films? I've always believed storytelling is one of the most powerful tools for building empathy. Just Like You Films creates space for real, honest stories that open hearts and change perspectives. Their mission instantly resonated with my work in mental health and my passion for helping kids and adults feel seen, heard, and supported. Why does the mission of JLYF matter to you personally? Because it aligns with everything I stand for as a clinician, a mother, and a storyteller. JLYF uses storytelling to plant seeds of empathy and understanding at an early age, which is precisely what we need to build emotionally healthy communities. Helping kids feel seen, understood, and empowered is personal to me —It's the foundation of all my work. What's been your favorite JLYF film or moment so far? My favorite film so far is Just Like You- Anxiety & Depression. Some of my favorite moments were watching kids light up while engaging with a movie that mirrored their own experience. You could see the shift when they realized they weren't alone. That's the magic of JLYF: it bridges the gap between difference and connection in such a beautiful, simple way. I also loved having the opportunity to be on panels and discuss the film with parents, and watch them begin to see the inside of what their children may be experiencing daily. What’s one hope you have for the future of JLYF? That every school in the country, not just Kansas, has access to this curriculum. I hope it becomes a national model for embedding kindness, empathy, and emotional literacy into education at every age. If you could tell every kid watching our films one thing, what would it be? You are not alone. Your story matters. And just because someone can't see your struggle doesn't mean it isn't real. Keep showing up. Keep being kind to yourself and others. What kind of impact do you believe JLYF can have in the next 5–10 years? I believe JLYF can help redefine how we teach emotional intelligence and empathy in schools. With the proper support, it can become a cornerstone of education, changing not just how kids see others but also how they see themselves. I also want parents to see their children, and I hope they will stop judging and blaming themselves so that they may become more open to discussing complex topics. How has being part of the board changed your perspective? It has already deepened my belief in the power of community-led change. Seeing what happens when educators, parents, and creatives come together with a shared purpose has reminded me how essential it is to combine heart and strategy when building something that lasts. (fb)