Friends of the Children - National

Friends of the Children - National Impacting generational change by pairing youth with a paid, professional mentor.

Friends of the Children is a national nonprofit that is impacting generational change by giving children the ability to create a new story. We do this by providing children facing the greatest obstacles with a long-term, paid, professional mentor, who we call a “Friend,” from as early as age 4 through high school graduation – 12+ years, no matter what.

Big news! A multi-site randomized controlled trial that began in 2007 has revealed incredible updated long-term outcomes...
06/17/2026

Big news! A multi-site randomized controlled trial that began in 2007 has revealed incredible updated long-term outcomes for Friends of the Children. For youth participating nine or more years, the results for the impact of professional mentoring are inspiring:

90% graduated from high school or earned their GED (up from 83%)
96% avoided criminal justice system involvement (up from 93%)
95% avoided early parenting (down from 98%)

Previous data also shows that 92% of youth enroll in post-secondary education, serve our country, or enter the workforce.

This data milestone shows breaking cycles of intergenerational poverty takes time, and these updated outcomes demonstrate that long-term, professional mentoring works.

Stay tuned this fall for the full study release with even more insights! Learn more about the study and the updated long-term outcomes here: https://heyor.ca/fGoP1B

06/11/2026

Big news! Friends of the Children is teaming up with the U.S. Soccer Foundation and their Yes, Coach! program — and we couldn't be more excited.

Yes, Coach! provides free, self-paced Coach-Mentor Training that helps adults show up for young people on and off the field. Through short videos, practical tools, and real-life scenarios, it builds the confidence coaches need to be true mentors — not just instructors.

At Friends of the Children, we know that long-term, professional mentorship changes the trajectory of a child's life. This partnership deepens that belief. Together, we're giving mentors and coaches in our communities the resources to make lasting impact.

Start your free training today: https://heyor.ca/PE8TMY

We have a bold goal—and it’s working. Friends of the Children set a goal to be part of the nation’s efforts to reduce en...
05/29/2026

We have a bold goal—and it’s working. Friends of the Children set a goal to be part of the nation’s efforts to reduce entry into foster care. Aiming for a 10% reduction in 5-year-olds entering foster care by 2030, we are celebrating that as of the most recent data available, 12% fewer children age 5 entered the system. Friends of the Children is proud to be part of that progress, reaching more families and helping them stay together, safe, and supported.

This , we are sharing Jennifer's story. When her family was navigating housing instability, tearful school drop-offs we...
05/27/2026

This , we are sharing Jennifer's story. When her family was navigating housing instability, tearful school drop-offs were her reality. Week after week, her Friend Crystal showed up — same time, same smile, and the same positive energy. Slowly, tears turned into laughter, and they began practicing affirmations on the drive to school. And one morning, Jennifer said it first: "I'm strong, and brave, and beautiful." That's the power of a consistent, caring relationship. Because every kid deserves someone who believes in them. Read Jennifer's full story: https://heyor.ca/tPKpUy

We're hiring! Friends of the Children - National is looking for a Director of Postsecondary, Career and Life Coaching to...
05/26/2026

We're hiring! Friends of the Children - National is looking for a Director of Postsecondary, Career and Life Coaching to help build and lead a brand-new national program helping young people (ages 16–22) thrive in work and life.

If you're a visionary, data-informed leader ready to transform outcomes during one of life's most critical transitions, we want to hear from you. Help us break the cycle of generational poverty—one child at a time.

Are you this amazing leader? Learn more and apply now: https://heyor.ca/VrkB0U

Mental health doesn’t improve overnight—and neither do systems. That's why we prioritize children at higher risk of ment...
05/26/2026

Mental health doesn’t improve overnight—and neither do systems. That's why we prioritize children at higher risk of mental health challenges and equip our Friends with the tools they need to build the kind of safe, supportive environments that all children deserve. Join us in celebrating and building awareness around our continued efforts to provide consistent, healing-centered services to improve mental health outcomes for youth and their families.

Happy Native Nonprofit Day! Today, we stand alongside Native-led organizations across the county to honor and uplift the...
05/21/2026

Happy Native Nonprofit Day! Today, we stand alongside Native-led organizations across the county to honor and uplift the incredible work they do in serving Indigenous communities and empowering Native youth.

In partnership with Sovereign Tribal Nations, Friends of the Children continue to grow our work to support Indigenous communities. From our first Indigenous-led chapter, Friends - He Sapa, in Rapid City, SD, in partnership with the Oglala Sioux Tribe, to our site on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, and our expansion in 2023 to the Flathead Reservation within the sovereign territory of the Confederated Salish-Kootenai Tribes, we are committed to supporting Native youth as they build pathways to stability and belonging.

We also continue to nurture relationships with Tribal Nations at our chapters in Klamath Basin, Eastern Montana, Western Montana, Fargo-Moorhead, Twin Cities, Eastern Idaho, and Eastern Washington. Today, we celebrate the resilience and strength of Native nonprofits as they build pathways to stability and belonging for Indigenous youth.

Friends of the Children is proud to be recognized as a 2026 Gold Bell Seal recipient for Workplace Mental Health by Ment...
05/20/2026

Friends of the Children is proud to be recognized as a 2026 Gold Bell Seal recipient for Workplace Mental Health by Mental Health America. This honor reflects our dedication to fostering a supportive culture for our staff so they can show up fully for the children and families we serve. Only 2 in 5 applicants earn recognition at any level. We are grateful to be awarded among a distinguished community of employers committed to mentally healthy workplaces nationwide.

On any given day, hundreds of thousands of children in the U.S. experience foster care or are at risk of entering care. ...
05/19/2026

On any given day, hundreds of thousands of children in the U.S. experience foster care or are at risk of entering care. At Friends of the Children, our professional mentors work alongside families to increase stability and access to support. Our long-term, professional mentors meet with youth and caregivers regularly—providing stability, building parenting skills, and connecting families to resources. 85% of caregivers say Friends helped connect them to concrete supports that enrich and stabilize their family. That’s the power of our professional mentoring model.

This , meet Priscilla — a mom in Billings, MT who fought to keep her family together. When CPS became involved, Friends...
05/18/2026

This , meet Priscilla — a mom in Billings, MT who fought to keep her family together. When CPS became involved, Friends of the Children - Eastern Montana didn't step back. They stepped in. Friend Ted showed up with his truck and helped move Priscilla and her son Blaire to safety. Today, Blaire is in stable housing, getting to school, and connected to his Indigenous culture — his greatest protective factor. This is what 12+ years, no matter what, looks like. Read Priscilla & Blaire's full story: https://heyor.ca/onimza

Address

44 NE Morris Street
Portland, OR
97212

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+18003483105

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