Friends of the Children - Philadelphia

Home
United States
Philadelphia, PA
Friends of the Children - Philadelphia

Impacting generational change by pairing youth with paid, professional mentors. Our model is distinct, courageous and proven. This is at the core of what we do.

Friends of the Children–Philadelphia is part of a national network of Friends of the Children chapters across the United States. Friends of the Children connects children – all of whom have unique talents – to a paid, professional mentor called a Friend. We hire and train Friends whose full-time jobs are to support our youth to succeed, despite the extremely challenging situations most experience,

from as early as age 4 through high school graduation – 12+ years, no matter what. We revolutionized the youth mentoring field by creating the first and only long-term professional mentoring program in the country. We are experts in building sustained and nurturing relationships with youth. Each child gets a dedicated, one-on-one Friend who listens to their hopes and dreams. Friends empower our youth to set – and achieve – their goals. Friends also create meaningful experiences that empower youth to build life skills and make healthy choices while exploring the child's diverse talents and interests. Our model is real, and it works.

08/18/2026

Give Melissa* a classic MJ beat and watch what happens! 💃 A candid moment captured by her Friend, Ms. Tanya, this is what finding your spark looks like in real time. ✨

*Youth name changed to protect privacy

08/12/2026

Young people may grow up in different neighborhoods, families and circumstances, but many of their hopes are shared: to be heard, to have opportunities, to feel connected and to shape their own futures.

Those hopes take shape with the right support: a Friend who shows up, a relationship that lasts and the space to discover a new interest, work toward a goal or find the confidence to try again.

This International Youth Day, Friends of the Children–Philadelphia is celebrating the voices, ideas and potential of youth across Philadelphia, not only for who they may become, but for who they are right now.

08/10/2026

Meet Ava*! Her first outing with her Friend, Ms. Tanya, was a library trip filled with pretend play and big imagination, just the beginning of many adventures ahead.

*Youth name changed to protect privacy

08/06/2026

Summer break doesn't mean a break from learning. Coquette* spent the afternoon working through math with her new Friend Ms. Toni. This is just one of the ways Friends help youth stay sharp and build confidence all summer long.

*Youth name changed for privacy

08/04/2026

A few weeks ago, Friends Toni and John made a few 'freeze pop pop-ups', stopping by the homes of newly enrolled youth and caregivers to say hello and officially welcome them to Friends of the Children – Philadelphia. 💛

They came bearing freeze pops, sweet treats, books, activity books, and a few extra goodies for the children. Most importantly, it was a chance to connect, meet caregivers, and kick off these new relationships with a little summer fun.

We’re so excited to welcome the newest youth and their families!

07/30/2026

First outing = a very special new friend! 🐶💛

Olivia* recently joined Friends of the Children-Philadelphia and kicked things off with her Friend, Toni, with a trip to the local library for some pet therapy!

Between spending time with an adorable pup and getting to know each other, it was a pretty sweet way to start their adventures together. We can't wait to see what Olivia and Toni get up to next! ✨

*Youth name changed to protect privacy.

07/27/2026

Parents and caregivers know their children best. They see the small changes, the growing confidence, the new skills, and the moments that show just how far their child has come. 💛

They are an essential part of their children’s lives, and an important part of our work, too. We build relationships with caregivers so they feel supported as they advocate for and encourage their children.

In honor of , we’re sharing a few reflections from the parents and caregivers of the youth we serve. Thank you for trusting us to be part of your children’s lives.

07/23/2026

Here’s to 2 years of keeping all the pieces moving behind the scenes! 🎉

This month, we’re celebrating two years with Rev. Kimberly Jones as our Operations Director. Rev is someone our team counts on for steady guidance, thoughtful problem-solving, and the kind of support that makes a real difference in the day-to-day.

Rev. Kimberly, thank you for all you do. We’re so grateful to have you on our team! 💛

07/22/2026

Summer camp creativity is in full swing! ☀️

Jayla* created a kite, Hakim* and Malik* made slime, and Jared* couldn’t wait to show Mr. Kevin his paper bag creation.

From school days to summer camp adventures, Friends are there year-round, encouraging new interests and providing consistent support and connection. 💛

Your support helps fuel that steady presence: friendsphiladelphia.org/donate

*Youth names changed to protect privacy

07/21/2026

The 2026 World Cup may be over, but the memories will last a lifetime! ⚽

Hakim* and his Friend, Mr. John, had a blast soaking up all the energy and excitement at the FIFA Fan Festival in Fairmount Park.

*Youth name changed to protect privacy.

Address

Philadelphia, PA

Website

https://friendsphiladelphia.org/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Friends of the Children - Philadelphia posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to Friends of the Children - Philadelphia:

Want your organization to be the top-listed Non Profit Organization in Philadelphia?