DEAR FRIEND,

Great ideas begin with a promise. Thirty-three years ago, Friends of the Children made a promise that was simple and radical: every child deserves one dedicated, caring adult who shows up for them from kindergarten through high school—12+ years, no matter what.

More than three decades later, that promise has grown from three long-term, professional mentors in Portland, OR to a national movement spanning nearly 50 communities. Friends of the Children is the only organization in the country that commits to youth for their entire childhood, and we’ve proven that when someone keeps showing up, the trajectory of a life and family can change forever.

We face a defining moment across America: families are under pressure, systems of support are shifting, and for many, stability is fragile. The demand for long-term, trusted relationships is soaring just as traditional funding becomes less predictable. Many organizations are scaling back their commitments during this time. Friends of the Children is doing the opposite—our organization is doubling down, keeping our promises while building systems and efficiencies that will help us sustain our programming for children and families.

In Los Angeles, Friends of the Children has expanded throughout the entire county into all eight of the city’s service planning areas, keeping youth and families out of the largest foster care system in the nation. In Western Montana, our work with Tribal Nations is growing on the Flathead Nation, as the chapter renovates a new clubhouse to better serve families on the reservation.

The youth and families in our program are extraordinary and resilient, and they inspire me. Take, for example, two graduates you’ll read about: in Portland, Enrique was able to see new possibilities for his future, when he looked past circumstances he couldn’t control; and a determined Ashley, in Boston, learned to set goals so that she could reach her dream of enrolling in college for a fine arts degree. These are just two alumni of our program, and they represent hundreds of youth who have come before them: enrolling in higher education, serving our country in the military, building careers and following their different passions.

This year also marks the completion of the Duncan & Cindy Campbell National Center of Excellence for Professional Youth Mentoring in Portland, Oregon. You’ll learn about how the new Center is more than a testament to our founder, it is a catapult toward the future, a space for innovation around professional youth mentoring, and a way to demonstrate and build best practices for our field.

I hope the stories in this impact report help you see the difference we can make in the lives of children and families. It is your encouragement, hope, and support that make our work possible, and help us keep the promises we make to every youth.

Warmest Regards,
Terri Sorensen
National CEO, Friends of the Children