Friends Forever International

06/12/2026

Great to see alumni Emma and Sophia on here! Congrats.

We are proud and excited to celebrate the graduating Class of 2026 this evening. Here are this years Top 5 based on academic performance.

06/08/2026

During the Gulf Coast Alumni Advanced Training Program, our alumni had the privilege of learning from incredible individuals and organizations across Louisiana and Mississippi who are creating positive change in their communities every day.

A few highlights include hearing a powerful story of resilience at , to meeting civil rights pioneer Leona Tate at the , our team explored how personal experiences can be transformed into meaningful community impact.

At , participants joined the Venerable Clear Grace Dayananda and community members for meditation, conversation, and a shared meal, learning how mindfulness can strengthen empathy, presence, and leadership.

At , alumni learned how art can build community, foster inclusion, and create spaces where people of all ages feel welcome to learn, create, and connect.

Our team also enjoyed a thoughtful discussion on community leadership and local impact at , where they explored how historic community spaces can continue to serve and inspire future generations.

Service remained a core part of the experience. Alumni volunteered with and the Humane Society of South Mississippi, supporting organizations that are making a real difference in the lives of people and animals throughout the Gulf Coast region.

A special thank you to the Rotary Clubs across Louisiana and Mississippi that welcomed our team and provided opportunities for participants to share their stories.

We are also grateful to volunteer Sam Walley for spending time with our participants, including leading a plant-based cooking workshop that provided the alumni with practical skills, confidence in the kitchen, and a deeper understanding of healthy, sustainable living.

To every community member, organization, volunteer, and Rotary Club who invested their time and energy into these young leaders: thank you. Your stories, generosity, and willingness to engage helped make this program a truly transformational experience.

Rotary

06/04/2026

7 alumni, 5 countries, 1 shared mission of creating positive change through leadership and service.

The future of Friends Forever International leadership is already here. 🌎

In May, seven of our most engaged alumni gathered in New Orleans, Louisiana for the inaugural Gulf Coast Alumni Advanced Training Program.

Representing Austria, India, Ireland, Peru, and the United States, these alumni came together for an intensive 10-day leadership experience focused on social justice, community engagement, facilitation training, and the future of the Global Alumni Movement.

Throughout the program, these participants practiced facilitating core FFI workshops, strengthened their public speaking and communication skills, explored the history and culture of New Orleans, and learned what it takes to become effective alumni mentors and team leaders for future FFI programs.

The team pushed themselves to expand their confidence, leadership abilities, and willingness to step outside their comfort zones. More importantly, they left with a deeper understanding of how leadership begins with empathy, listening, and creating spaces where others can thrive.

As Friends Forever International celebrates its 40th anniversary, these alumni are helping lead the way forward.

Meet the seven incredible alumni who participated in this year’s Gulf Coast Alumni Advanced Training Program ➡️

05/22/2026

Forty years ago, Bob Raiche had a belief. He believed you could not really know someone until you were on the life raft with them. He built an organization around that idea. And somewhere along the way, Karen Babin climbed on the raft with him.

That was over thirty years ago. Karen has not stopped rowing since.

A 40th anniversary is a moment to pause and look back at the people who made it possible. FFI did not get here on its own. It got here because of individuals who showed up, stayed, and kept going. Karen is one of those people.

As we mark this milestone, we want to recognize what Karen has actually done. Not in broad strokes, but specifically. She built relationships in Cambridge, Saratoga Springs, and New Orleans. She did that through her own networks, her Rotary connections, and her refusal to let distance or logistics be reasons to stop. Young people from Northern Ireland and communities across the world came through those programs because of her. Hundreds of youth experienced something that changed them. The families, teachers, and neighbors touched by those young people bring that number into the thousands.

Karen served on our board alongside Bob. She traveled to Northern Ireland to celebrate the milestones of a program he was deeply committed to. And still today, she is making our Gulf Coast alumni program a reality.

In recognition of everything above, we are honored to present Karen with the Bob Raiche Life Raft Award. This award exists because of one simple truth: some people show up when it matters. Karen has shown up for over three decades. Bob knew that about her. We know that about her.

Thank you, Karen. For being on the raft. Congratulations on the 2026 Bob Raiche Life Raft Award!

Watch some of the many alumni that Karen has impacted share their congratulations: https://youtu.be/l9WhhPG6uvg

05/14/2026

FFI has an inspiring YouTube channel which features speeches and stories shared by our participants. If you’re looking for hope, subscribe today! https://youtube.com/

05/12/2026

Yesterday we welcomed alumni to New Orleans to continue their leadership journey with FFI. Taking a pause from university and careers, they will be focusing on learning how to be effective facilitators of impact. This team is truly global with leaders coming from India, Ireland, Austria, Peru, and the U.S. stay tuned!

05/04/2026

Our first alumni coaching program in Belize has wrapped up. We had a goal of delivering FFI workshops to 100 students and are thrilled to announce that we gave an FFI experience to over 250 youth! The enthusiasm they had to receive this training to become the best versions of themselves so they could help their communities become the best versions of themselves was inspiring. We also hosted our first community day at our new campus, supported the local youth football squad, spent some quality time with the and so much more. It was special on the last day to see the FFI shirts proudly worn around town. Many thanks to all the community members, our tireless and always laughing alumni, our AMAZING partners who care so deeply about the community, and of course the young people who give us all so much hope that a better future is right around the corner- wherever you live.

04/28/2026

The team had Sunday free and decided to host a family fun day for Boom Creek children and families at the campus. Then Monday we travelled to our new site and because we had the afternoon free, we gave it a new paint job! Then it was early to rise as we spent the first of two days delivering FFI life skills training to 180 students here in Punta Gorda. It’s only been 4 days but the impact is immeasurable.

04/26/2026

After a long drive from Belize City with a quick stop at Blue Hole National park, the team woke up early Saturday and crushed their tasks: varnishing all the outhouses, constructing a table for meeting hut, and learning how to cook from our caretaker Dinora on the oven last years team built. Today we’ll be hosting members of local village for a community fun day. Next week starts our work in Punta Gorda but I know we’ll miss our home and family in the rainforest.

04/24/2026

Very excited to head out with our alumni coaches to deliver FFI classes to students in Belize. These alumni aren’t on a program, for this experience , they build and deliver the program. Stay tuned for the magic.