LONG-TERM OUTCOMES
The youth in our program achieve incredible success.
We are inspired by their accomplishments as they pursue their hopes and dreams.
92% of youth go on to enroll in post-secondary education, serve our country or enter the workforce with a living-wage job.
93% of youth remain free from involvement in the juvenile justice system.
83% of youth receive their high school diploma or GED.
98% of youth wait to parent until after their teen years.
ADVANCING FOSTER CARE OUTCOMES
In 2021, Friends of the Children set a goal to be part of the nation’s efforts to reduce entry into foster care. Aiming for a 10% reduction in 5-year-olds entering foster care by 2030, we are celebrating that as of the most recent data available, 12% fewer children age 5 entered the system. Preliminary data from pilot projects in Los Angeles and Austin have shown that when paired with a Friend, children who are at highest risk of foster care entry or re-entry avoid foster care 100% of the time. Now that is worth celebrating!
BALLMER GROUP INVESTS $2.3M
TO EXPAND FRIENDS OF THE CHILDREN’S IMPACT IN WASHINGTON STATE
Inspired by Friends of the Children’s proven impact, in 2024 Ballmer Group invested $2.3 million to expand and sustain our long-term, professional mentoring model across Washington State. This transformational multi-year grant is supporting chapters in Seattle, Tacoma, and Southwest Washington, and helped launch one of our newest chapters in Spokane.
Across Washington, our chapters serve youth with incredible potential who are also disproportionately affected by foster care and other challenges. Ballmer Group’s support will enable Washington chapters to sustain and grow their 12+ year commitments to hundreds of youth and their families.
Ballmer Group’s commitment to the Friends of the Children model runs deep. In 2017, Ballmer Group invested $500,000 in catalytic seed funding to bring the Friends of the Children model to Los Angeles. Over the years, they have also invested more than $2.6M in Friends of the Children – Seattle, one of our longest-standing chapters.
