In October 2025, World Champion gymnast and youth advocate Simone Biles made a special, in-person visit to the Friends of the Children – Chicago clubhouse. As a longtime ambassador of Friends of the Children, Simone spent the afternoon doing what she does best with youth and their professional mentors: connecting.

She answered questions, signed autographs, took pictures, and shared powerful words of encouragement about the absolute importance of believing in themselves and their futures.

The visit held a profound significance for Simone, who frequently spent time in the city supporting her husband, NFL player Jonathan Owens. Having entered the foster care system alongside her siblings at a young age, Simone sees her own journey reflected directly in the youth she met.

During the visit, a powerful exchange took place when one youth, Vanessa*, asked, “Do you ever say anything negative about yourself and how do you stop?”

Simone met the question with honesty: “Sometimes you think you’re too short or you’re too tall… you’re perfect just how you are and so I try to do my affirmations every single day.” She then led the room through some of her favorite daily affirmations, encouraging the youth to repeat after her: “I am brave. I am loved. I am important.”

Simone emphasized that building self-confidence early is key to navigating the daily hurdles the youth face. “Kids are like sponges and around the spaces they are in they can hear all sorts of things, so I think it’s really important to start those affirmations young so they fully believe in it and themselves,” Simone said.
Simone’s shared experience is exactly what makes her connection with the youth in Friends of the Children’s program so genuine. “I feel like they see me on the TV all the time and it doesn’t seem relatable,” Simone reflected. “But whenever I come in and have a conversation with them, they are kind of like, ‘Oh, she’s just like me.’” Seeing their faces light up, she added, “truly means the world, and I want to continue to do work in the foster care community.”

Phalon Carpenter, Program Director of Friends of the Children – Chicago, said the day will be a core memory for the youth. “It’s very important for our children to see people who look like them be successful,” she said. She added that while Simone is one of the greatest athletes of all time, “her experiences with the foster care system allow her to connect with the children and teens in our program in such an authentic and meaningful way.”

Thank you to Simone for showing up for youth and for your continued belief in the power of individualized, intentional, professional mentorship. For 12+ years, no matter what.

*Youth name changed to protect privacy