Friends of the Children serves
48 LOCATIONS in 23 STATES
including partnerships with Sovereign Tribal Nations
WHERE WE WORK
OUR MODEL
Our Mission
Impacting generational change by empowering youth who are facing the greatest obstacles through relationships with professional mentors.
12+ years, no matter what.
OUR VALUES
Our values guide everything we do. They shape how we support youth and families, make decisions, hire and develop staff, and work alongside volunteers and partners. Most importantly, our values help us change the way the world sees and supports the youth and families we serve.
Our Vision
Our vision is that one day all children who need a Friend will have a long-term, consistent relationship with a caring adult who believes in them.
HOW IT ALL BEGAN
Friends of the Children was established in 1993 by entrepreneur Duncan Campbell and his wife, Cindy Campbell, in Portland, Oregon. After achieving business success, Duncan was determined to help children facing challenges similar to those he had overcome.
In 1992, The Campbell Institute for Children conducted extensive research to identify the most effective way to help children overcome adversity. The findings showed that a long-term, nurturing relationship with a consistent and caring adult is one of the strongest protective factors in a child's life.
FRIENDS OF THE CHILDREN TIMELINE