Friends of the Children is the only youth development program breaking the cycle of poverty and violence, preventing school dropout, teen parenting, and criminal activity—by selecting the most vulnerable children, and making a 12 1/2 year commitment to their success. And we stay with them NO MATTER WHAT.
Our model is courageous, unique and proven. We provide each child with a salaried, professional mentor, who we call a Friend, from kindergarten through high school graduation. This full-time Friend ensures the quality, consistency and the commitment needed to enable youth to develop and achieve their greatest potential.
The children enrolled in Friends of the Children are those who face the highest risks of poor outcomes, including school dropout, early parenting and criminal activity. Most live in poverty, move frequently and HAVE EXPERIENCED TRAUMA:
56% are at risk of becoming homeless.
46% have a parent who has been incarcerated.
79% were born to a mother who was a teen parent.
55% have lived with someone other than their parents.
Recent results are remarkable, given the challenges faced by our children*:
All students k-11 were promoted to the next grade and all 7 out of 9 youth graduated high school!
68% of students met grade level math standards.
71% of our elementary students met grade level reading standards.
84% of students missed fewer than 10 days of school.
97% avoided suspension
Among our enrolled youth:
98% have avoided teen parenting.
98% have avoided juvenile detention due to criminal activity.
*Based on the most recent school data available.
To Learn More:
info@friendsseattle.org or 206-328-3535
www.friendsseattle.org