A HISTORY OF SUPPORTING YOUTH
In 1993, Friends of the Children began our work using a unique mentoring model—walking alongside youth for 12+ years, no matter what. Our three-decade history is based on the power of one-to-one relationships—empowering youth with big dreams who also face some of the toughest things in life such as foster care, poverty, family mental health challenges, and more.
Thirty years of long-term professional mentoring adds up in different ways for the youth and families we serve. There have been thousands of ice cream cones and trips to the playground. Countless hours working on school projects or practicing times tables. Time spent riding bikes, learning to read, doing homework. Big moments focused on applying for college or starting a new job. Tears when pushing through tough times and pure joy after meeting goals.
We celebrate all of this and so much more, reflecting on the thousands of youth who have grown through our program since 1993. There have been more heart-to-heart conversations and big hugs than any one person can count, and we know there are many more to come.
Explore this timeline to see a few key moments in the history of the Friends of the Children national network.
