Empowering Youth for 12+ Years, No Matter What.

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At Friends of the Children, we believe that every child deserves a champion, someone who listens, cares, and supports them through life's challenges. For over 30 years, we’ve been revolutionizing the way youth facing great obstacles are supported through our unique, proven, and courageous professional mentoring model. Each child, starting as young as age 4, is paired with a dedicated mentor - called a Friend - who stays with them through high school graduation, 12+ years, no matter what.

We are breaking the cycle of poverty – one child at a time.

Here is how we do it:

  • Long-term Commitment: We commit to every child for the long-term, providing consistent support and stability.
  • Professional Mentoring: Our full-time, paid mentors are trained professionals dedicated to empowering youth and provide individualized support tailored to each child’s needs.
  • Evidence-Based Approach: Our model is backed by research showing the real and measurable impact of long-term, nurturing relationships for children facing adversity.

Be A Champion for Children

Sign up for our email list to stay connected and learn how you can empower youth with big dreams who also face obstacles like foster care, poverty, housing insecurity, and more. Together, we can build brighter futures and impact generational change, one child at a time.

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OUR METHOD

We select children who face multiple systemic obstacles. We amplify their voices as they write their own stories of hope and resilience.


OUR MODEL

We commit to each child for the long-term.
12+ years, no matter what.
Each child is paired with a paid professional mentor called a Friend.

OUR OUTCOMES

3 Es

92% of youth go on to enroll in post-secondary education, serve our country or enter the workforce.

Graduation

83% of youth earn a high school diploma or a GED.

Juvenile Justice

93% of youth remain free from juvenile justice system involvement.

Parenting

98% of youth wait to parent until after their teen years.

Every child deserves to feel loved and supported. Our vision is that one day, every child who needs a Friend has one.