Friends of the Children - Twin Cities

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Friends of the Children - Twin Cities

Impacting generational change by pairing youth facing obstacles with a paid, professional mentor.

06/17/2026

Looking at her childhood photo, Kyah reflected on something her younger self didn't realize:

"She didn't know yet that her smile would light up every room she walked into."

As a professional mentor, she now spends her days helping youth recognize their strengths, build confidence, and see possibilities they may not yet see in themselves.

Because sometimes a child just needs someone to notice their light and remind them it is there.

Your support helps sustain the kind of long-term relationship that can shape how a young person carries themselves, dreams for their future, and moves through the world. And right now, your gift will be doubled through the $80,000 match, helping us extend that lasting impact to more young people across the Twin Cities.

Donate: https://friendstwincities.org/double-impact

06/16/2026

Batala grew up knowing what it felt like to have trusted adults who believed in her potential. Those relationships left a lasting impact on her life and continue to inspire her work as Executive Director.

"The Friends of the Children mission resonates deeply with me. I've experienced firsthand what the research confirms: mentoring works.

When young people have a trusted adult who consistently shows up, believes in them, and walks beside them for the long haul, lives change.

Families are strengthened. Generations are transformed. Communities become more vibrant and resilient.

That's what excites me most about Friends of the Children. We don't offer a temporary program—we make a long-term promise.

And the outcomes of those relationships are extraordinary."

Years from now, today's youth will tell their own stories about the adults who believed in them. Your gift, doubled through our $80,000 Challenge Match, helps write more of those stories right here in the Twin Cities.

Donate: https://friendstwincities.org/double-impact

06/15/2026

Have you RSVP’d yet?

Join us on June 25 for a virtual conversation on what it really takes for young people to thrive in the Twin Cities.

Executive Director Batala McFarlane and educator and community leader Dr. Michael V. Walker will explore the power of long-term, relationship-based mentoring and why it matters so deeply for young people across our community right now.

📅 Wednesday, June 25
⏰12:00 PM - 1:00 PM CT
💻 Free Virtual Event

RSVP today: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfDl8G3lqNawSwXNR9-VvMoGJLblgh1rWndI7ILrvWnS_BzZg/viewform

06/12/2026

School's out, and the court was calling! 🏀

Marcus* spent the afternoon teaching Jaylen* how to shoot, and it was not easy.

Jaylen missed shot after shot and was ready to call it quits, but with a little encouragement from their Friend Darlington, he lined up and tried again.

And again.

Until the ball finally dropped through the net. Marcus was proud he had taught Jaylen something new, and Jaylen was so proud he had not given up. 💪

That is Perseverance and Grit in action, one of the Core Assets that guide every young person's growth at Friends of the Children-Twin Cities. Because trying again is how young people learn effort pays off.

Summer means more afternoons like this one, filled with the experiences, encouragement, and connection that help young people thrive.

Your support directly fuels those moments. Right now, every donation is matched, so your gift goes twice as far. Give today: http://friendstwincities.org/double-impact

*Youth names changed to protect privacy

06/08/2026

On , Kyah shared something worth celebrating: two of the youth she mentors made bracelets and necklaces for each other, helped when the other got stuck, and kept each other motivated the whole way through.

That's Positive Relationship Building in action. 💛

Our Friends intentionally model this skill with each youth they mentor, because learning how to build and nurture healthy relationships is one of the most powerful tools a young person can carry into adulthood.

06/05/2026

Promotion ceremonies have filled our week with so much joy 🎓 These young people have worked hard all year and are stepping into their next grade with pride and excitement for what’s ahead. Their professional mentors have been right there with them through all the challenges and celebrations. And this week was no different. 💙

Big congratulations to every Twin Cities youth celebrating this milestone!

06/04/2026

What does it take for a young person to truly thrive?

Join us on June 25 as Executive Director Batala McFarlane and educator and community leader Dr. Michael V. Walker explore the power of long-term, relationship-based mentoring and why it matters so deeply for young people in the Twin Cities right now.

Together they will discuss what children and families are navigating today, why trusted relationships are so important, and the unique vision of Friends of the Children - Twin Cities.

📅 Wednesday, June 25
🕛 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM CT
💻 Virtual Event

RSVP: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfDl8G3lqNawSwXNR9-VvMoGJLblgh1rWndI7ILrvWnS_BzZg/viewform

06/03/2026

The curtain rose and they were completely captivated!

Youth and their Friend Te'Ashia recently saw The Wizard of Oz at Children's Theatre Company, and from the very first scene, they were all in. They even showed up dressed as characters, stepping into the story before it even began.

Experiences like this one do more than entertain, they spark curiosity, fuel imagination, and help young people see new possibilities for themselves.

A huge thanks to Tickets for Kids Charities - MN for making this outing possible and for investing in the joy and growth of young people in our community. ✨

06/02/2026

We're grateful to share that we're closing in on our $80,000 campaign goal with just under $60k raised so far!

Summer is right around the corner and that's often when some of the strongest moments between youth and their Friends happen: long drives to activities, conversations in the car, afternoons at the museum or library, trying something new for the first time, or simply having a consistent adult showing up week after week.

Your donation directly fuels those moments. And right now, every dollar is matched thanks to a generous supporter, so your gift goes twice as far. There's still time to help us reach our full goal before summer begins.

Thank you for being part of this community and for believing in the power of long-term mentorship.

https://friendstwincities.org/double-impact

05/29/2026

Elijah* and Isiah* spent a Thursday afternoon exploring the Minnesota Historical Society with their Friend Darlington, digging into a MN mining exhibit and discovering something new together.

Summer is just around the corner, and the professional mentors at Friends of the Children-Twin Cities will keep showing up week after week, creating experiences that build curiosity, confidence, and connection.

Your support helps make afternoons like this one possible. Right now every donation is matched dollar for dollar thanks to a generous supporter. We're halfway to our $80,000 campaign goal. Will you help us get there before summer begins?

https://friendstwincities.org/double-impact

*Names changed to protect privacy.

Address

323 N Washington Avenue
Minneapolis, MN
55401

Website

https://www.friendstwincities.org/

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