Friends of the Children - Phoenix

Friends of the Children - Phoenix Friends of the Children is a national network of chapters with 30 years of experience working with youth. We stay with them through graduation. 12+ years.

We impact generational change by providing children facing the greatest obstacles with a long-term, salaried, professional mentor, who who we call a “Friend,” from age 4 through high school graduation – 12+ years, no matter what. Friends – Phoenix was founded in 2022 to work specifically with children in the Phoenix area. We hire and train paid, professional mentors—called “Friends”—to help children build the skills, goals, and relationships they need to succeed in life. We will provide a child in kindergarten or 1st grade with a trained, Professional Mentor—called a “Friend”—to help them develop academic, social, and life skills. No matter what. A Friend will help each child set goals and create an individualized road map for achieving their dreams. The child and their Friend will spend up to four hours per week together building a relationship and making progress toward their goals. Activities will occur in the community, at our clubhouse, or in their school. Additionally, our evidence-based two-generation (2Gen) approach positively impacts the entire family system, empowering caregivers to address their own needs and trauma while also learning to promote their child’s learning and healthy social, emotional, and physical development. Friends support caregivers in improving their parenting skills by helping them understand their child’s needs and strengths through Core Asset development. Friends empower caregiver voice through self-advocacy as they support them to navigate complex systems.

¡Feliz Mes de la Herencia Hispana! 🎉September 15 marks the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month, a month-long celebratio...
10/07/2026

¡Feliz Mes de la Herencia Hispana! 🎉

September 15 marks the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month, a month-long celebration through October 15 honoring the histories, cultures, traditions and contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities.

In celebration of this special month, Friends – Phoenix youth are exploring what makes each of them unique through a My Culture/My Pride activity, coloring flags that represent their cultures and sharing that pride with one another. 🌎💛

So far, our youth have created flags representing Cuba, El Salvador, India, Liberia, Mexico, the Navajo Nation, Nigeria, the United States and the Yaqui Tribe!

Throughout the month, we’re joining our community in honoring the rich histories, cultures, traditions, creativity and contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities while giving every young person opportunities to celebrate their identity and learn more about the cultures represented around them.

This school year brought a milestone worth celebrating. 💙When Mia* was in kindergarten, behavioral challenges had become...
10/05/2026

This school year brought a milestone worth celebrating. 💙

When Mia* was in kindergarten, behavioral challenges had become significant enough that she was attending an alternative education program instead of her neighborhood school.

Since then, she’s had a team in her corner.

Her Professional Mentor, Gabby, has been there to help her work through challenges, reinforce skills, celebrate progress and provide the kind of consistency that comes with our 12+ year commitment to every young person we serve.

At the same time, our partners at Higher Ground have worked alongside Mia’s grandmother to help strengthen stability and support at home.

This fall, Mia was able to re-enroll and return to her neighborhood school.

There’s still work ahead, and progress like this is never the result of just one person or one intervention. But it’s a powerful reminder of what is possible when a young person and their family are surrounded by people who believe in them — and keep showing up.

We’re so proud of you, Mia.

*Name changed to protect youth privacy.

When Lucas’* family needed help, his Friend Joey didn’t just tell them where to go.He went with them.He drove Lucas’ mom...
09/29/2026

When Lucas’* family needed help, his Friend Joey didn’t just tell them where to go.

He went with them.

He drove Lucas’ mom to organizations offering housing assistance. He stood beside her while she applied. He helped the family communicate with their landlord.

And ultimately, Lucas and his family were able to stay in their home.

Our Friends build relationships with youth—and with the families surrounding them. Because supporting the whole family helps strengthen the stability young people need to thrive.

Read “Showing Up Changes Everything” on our website to see what showing up for the long haul can look like: https://friendsphoenix.org/news/showing-up-changes-everything

*Youth name changed to protect privacy.

💛 Want to support Friends – Phoenix? There’s more than one way to make a difference!You can make an Arizona Tax Credit d...
09/28/2026

💛 Want to support Friends – Phoenix? There’s more than one way to make a difference!

You can make an Arizona Tax Credit donation, join our recurring Friends in Action giving community, donate tickets and experiences, shop our wish lists, sponsor an event—or simply introduce someone new to our mission.

Big or small, every act of support helps give our Friends the tools and opportunities they need to keep showing up for youth and families.

Explore all the ways you can get involved on our website: https://friendsphoenix.org/get-involved/ways-to-give

💥 POW! BAM! READ! 📚It’s , and we’re celebrating the comics and graphic novels that can help young readers discover just...
09/25/2026

💥 POW! BAM! READ! 📚

It’s , and we’re celebrating the comics and graphic novels that can help young readers discover just how much fun a good story can be.

Reading doesn’t have to look the same for every child. Graphic novels combine visual storytelling with text, giving young readers another way to explore stories—and giving Friends and youth plenty to talk about together!

🦸 Your turn: If you could have ONE superpower, what would you choose?

Tell us below! 👇

💛 Every child deserves someone who cares—and keeps caring.Someone who listens.Someone who advocates.Someone who celebrat...
09/20/2026

💛 Every child deserves someone who cares—and keeps caring.

Someone who listens.
Someone who advocates.
Someone who celebrates the wins.
Someone who stays through the hard days.

Someone like a Friend.

On Care For Kids Day, we’re celebrating our professional mentors, called Friends, and every caring adult who makes a young person feel seen, supported and believed in.

🌿 FRIENDraiser 2027 is blooming somewhere NEW! 🌿We’re thrilled to bring our annual celebration to Clayton House for the ...
09/17/2026

🌿 FRIENDraiser 2027 is blooming somewhere NEW! 🌿

We’re thrilled to bring our annual celebration to Clayton House for the first time!

✨ New venue
🌸 New theme
💛 The same extraordinary commitment to our youth

Save February 25, 2027 and get ready to experience FRIENDraiser in a beautiful new setting as we celebrate what becomes possible when young people have consistent relationships, meaningful opportunities, and a community that believes in them.

We can’t wait to welcome you to Clayton House!

📚 Here’s a number worth celebrating: More than 70% of Friends – Phoenix youth are reading at or nearly at grade level!In...
09/16/2026

📚 Here’s a number worth celebrating: More than 70% of Friends – Phoenix youth are reading at or nearly at grade level!

In the school district where we work, that number is less than 25%.

Our Friends know that literacy growth doesn’t happen only during reading lessons at school. It happens while choosing a book together, practicing a tricky word, reading to a therapy dog, visiting the library, and always having someone there to say, “Keep going. You’ve got this.”

This Literacy Month, we’re celebrating every book opened, every new word learned and every bit of confidence gained. 💛📖

🎨 Paint. Draw. Dance. Create. Imagine.Creative activities give our youth opportunities to express themselves, discover n...
09/14/2026

🎨 Paint. Draw. Dance. Create. Imagine.

Creative activities give our youth opportunities to express themselves, discover new interests and build confidence—all while making memories with their Friends.

During Arts in Education Week, we’re celebrating the role creativity plays in learning and connection.

And we want to hear from you: What was YOUR favorite creative activity as a kid? 🎭🎶🖌️

Sometimes, showing up looks like a simple weekly check-in. Until that check-in becomes something much bigger.Senior Prof...
09/11/2026

Sometimes, showing up looks like a simple weekly check-in. Until that check-in becomes something much bigger.

Senior Professional Mentor Joey had spent months building trust with Lucas* and his family through consistent calls, updates and conversations.

Then Lucas’ mom told him the family was facing an unexpected crisis.

Because that relationship was already there, she knew she had someone she could turn to.

💛 What happened next is a powerful example of why consistency matters.

Read the full story, “Showing Up Changes Everything,” on our website: https://friendsphoenix.org/news/showing-up-changes-everything

*Youth name changed to protect privacy.

Address

4050 E Cotton Center Boulevard Suite 12
Phoenix, AZ
85040

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

+14802614185

Website

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