This fall, Ashley D. will walk into high school for the first time. She will navigate new teachers, new classmates, and an entirely new routine, but one crucial part of her life will remain perfectly consistent: her professional mentor, Silvana, will be right by her side.

Ask Silvana to describe Ashley, and she doesn’t have to think for long. She’s curious. She’ll try just about anything once. She’s outspoken, fearless—the kind of person who stands up for her friends without hesitation. Those observations weren’t formed in a single conversation. They accumulated over eight years together, as Ashley grew from an energetic six-year-old into a teenager preparing to enter high school.

The longest-tenured professional mentor at Friends of the Children – Austin, Silvana still vividly remembers their first official outing together at the Thinkery, and her first day on the job.

She remembers the weight of it: a family had entrusted her with one of the most important people in their lives. She worried she wasn’t doing enough, right up until Ashley asked a simple question at the end of the day: “When do I get to see you again?” In that moment, Silvana felt her calling.

For the past eight years, their weekends, evenings, and summers have been filled with soccer, karate, volleyball, softball, and swimming lessons. Silvana notes that Ashley rarely needs convincing. If there is an experience she hasn’t had before, she wants to give it a try.

Today, before they even decide on the day’s plans, Ashley asks about dance class, Silvana’s dogs, and how her powerlifting training is going. Their conversations flow naturally, built on eight years of ordinary moments and deeply earned trust. Silvana considers it a privilege to witness Ashley’s transformation, noting that she now looks at her and sees a level of confidence she wishes she had possessed at that age.

Ashley is one of 22 youth entering high school this fall as part of the first-ever class of rising freshmen in Friends of the Children – Austin’s history. It is a milestone in Friends of the Children’s history made possible in part by a Social Innovation Fund (SIF) award, which helped launch and grow chapters like Austin and expand our model nationwide. Today, we are proud to watch these cohorts of youth in chapters across the country successfully transition from middle school to high school.

Furthermore, this funding laid the foundation for our deep, continuing impact in Texas. What started in Austin has successfully expanded across the state, launching Friends of the Children – Houston in 2022 and Friends of the Children – Dallas in 2025.

As Ashley prepares for her freshman year, Silvana’s advice isn’t about getting good grades or trying to fit in. Instead, it is a powerful affirmation of the young woman she has spent nearly a decade getting to know: “Don’t dim your light. Keep being exactly who you are.”