EMPOWER DREAMS.
CHANGE FUTURES.
Our mentoring model is distinct, courageous, and proven.
Friends of the Children has redefined youth mentoring by creating the nation’s first and only long-term, professional mentoring program.
We pair children facing the greatest obstacles with full-time, paid professional mentors—called Friends—from pre-kindergarten through high school graduation — 12+ years, no matter what.
A Friend by My Side
Friends of the Children - Austin
Miya's story
Friends of the Children - New York
Professional mentoring improves the mental, emotional, and behavioral health of youth.
Here is how we do it:
- Trauma-Informed Support: Our mentors provide trauma-informed and culturally responsive services to promote healing and resilience in children who have faced great obstacles and significant barriers to accessing mental health support.
- Promoting Resilience: Through structured relationship-building and pro-social activities, our mentors create a safe space for youth to feel seen and supported while developing coping skills and emotional resilience.
- Long-Term Commitment: We commit for the long-term, empowering children to navigate life's challenges and succeed in school and beyond. Our mentors are highly trained and supervised to leverage evidence-based practices to support youth when mental health challenges arise.
Our Outcomes
of youth go on to enroll in post-secondary education, serve our country or enter the workforce.
of youth earn a high school diploma or a GED.
of youth remain free from juvenile justice system involvement.
of youth wait to parent until after their teen years.
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.