OPENING DOORS TO A WORLD OF POSSIBILITIES

Freddi’s STORY

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In February 2024, Freddi McCullers was having a heart to heart with the Honorable Ayanna Pressley, Congressperson for Massachusetts’ 7th district.

Freddi, who is 28 and a graduate of Friends of the Children – New York, accompanied several chapters to Congressional meetings in Washington, D.C.

“It was important to me that Congresswoman Pressley understood the difference a caring adult can make in the life of a child,” shares Freddi. “My mentors fostered a healthy environment, encouraging me to dream about the future.”

My mentors empowered me to find the confidence I had deep down, and it’s changed my life.

_{^{– Freddi McCullers}}

Freddi was introduced to Friends of the Children when she was a kindergartener in Harlem. She had a lot going on at the time, and says she was living in the day, not focused on the future. Freddi and her sister moved in with their grandmother and then bounced around from place to place.

“Having to move from place to place, I never felt like I had my own space—a place I could call home,” says Freddi.

Then one day at school, Freddi was introduced to Jamali, who would become her new Friend—a longterm, professional mentor. Their times together were an opportunity for Freddi to have fun and be herself. For Freddi, Friends of the Children was much more than a mentoring program: her Friends, Jamali, Keidera, and Alicia, would help transform her life—supporting her as she navigated school and life over the next 12 years.

Her Friends helped her focus on school—she enrolled in college classes in the city during high school. Mentorship provided a profound sense of preparedness and confidence as Freddi stepped into adulthood. That foundation would be pivotal to later meet the challenges of college life at Syracuse University, where she attained a bachelor’s degree in economics. Friends of the Children equipped her with skills to advocate for herself, to network effectively, and to understand the true essence of mentorship.

Freddi had other door-opening experiences at Friends – New York, including meeting then-Judge Sonia Sotomayor, traveling to Washington, D.C. to talk with Members of Congress, and spending an afternoon walking across the Brooklyn Bridge with her Friend. These are bright memories for her. She says Friends of the Children opened her eyes to a world of possibilities beyond the confines of her immediate neighborhood, and showed Freddi that her personal goals were within reach.

Now living in Atlanta and working as a successful event planner, Freddi has a deep sense of gratitude and a desire to pay it forward. The lessons learned, the goals set, and the exposure to diverse cultures enriched her life and inspired her to contribute to the empowerment of others. Whether it’s raising funds for young girls in Zimbabwe or participating in mentoring programs, Freddi has a profound understanding of the power of one-to-one mentorship. For her, mentorship has been a vital component of personal growth and resilience.

One of Freddi’s favorite things to do now is travel. She savors planning trips in South America and Europe where she can explore new things. As she prepares for an upcoming trip to Italy, Freddi thinks back on her time with Friends – New York.

“Friends of the Children opened the world up to me,” Freddi says. “My mentors empowered me to find the confidence I had deep down, and it’s changed my life. I hope I can make this difference in someone else’s life too.”