Friends of the Children: Company Research Report

Company Overview

• Name:

• Friends of the Children

• Mission of the Company:

• To impact generational change by empowering youth who are facing the greatest obstacles through long-term relationships with professional mentors. Their commitment is 12+ years, no matter what.

• Founded:

• 1993

• Founded by:

• Duncan Campbell

• Key People:

• Terri Sorensen - Chief Executive Officer

• Carmi Brown - Chief Officer of Launch & Implementation

• Erinn Kelley-Siel - Chief Officer of Strategy & Innovation

• Abby Weast - Chief Operating Officer/Chief Financial Officer

• Dr. Tarece Johnson-Morgan - Chief Officer of Belonging, Culture, & Equity

• Dr. Andrae L. Brown - Chief Officer of Chapter Success

• Headquartered:

• Portland, OR, USA

• Number of Employees:

• No information is available.

• Revenue:

• No information is available.

• What the Company is Known For:

• Friends of the Children is renowned for its innovative youth mentoring model that provides children facing systemic obstacles with long-term professional mentorship for 12+ years.

Products

• Products Offered:

• Friends of the Children does not offer traditional products. Instead, they provide a unique mentoring program that pairs youth with professional mentors known as "Friends."

• High-Level Description of the Product:

• The Friends program is a paid professional mentorship initiative where each child is paired with a full-time mentor (Friend) from as early as preschool through high school. Mentorship focuses on individual support and helps youth develop life skills and address personal and educational goals.

• Key Features of the Product:

• Long-Term Commitment: Mentorship lasts 12+ years, ensuring stability and continuous support.

• Professional Mentors: Unlike traditional volunteer-based programs, Friends are paid professionals dedicated to their role.

• Individualized Support: Each child receives a personalized mentoring plan based on their unique needs and goals.

• Comprehensive Development: Focuses on social and emotional growth, academic achievement, and life skills.

• Community Integration: Friends work in collaboration with schools, caregivers, and the community to support the child’s development.

Recent Developments

• Recent Developments in the Company:

• Friends of the Children has expanded to serve 41 locations nationwide as of 2024.

• New chapters have been established in places like Eastern Idaho and Philadelphia, PA.

• New Products Launched:

• No information is available.

• New Features Added to Existing Products:

• No information is available.

• New Partnerships:

• In 2023, the Echo Fund invested $6 million to support partnerships in rural and tribal communities.

• The Ballmer Group provided $2.3 million to sustain and expand the company’s work in Washington State.

Additional Information

• Impact Statistics:

• 92% of youth engage in post-secondary education or employment.

• 83% earn a high school diploma or GED.

• 93% avoid juvenile justice system involvement.

• 98% delay parenthood until after their teen years.

• Expansion Initiatives:

• Recent expansion includes additional locations in California, Oregon, and Montana, significantly broadening the reach and impact of the organization.

• PEOPLE AND DIVERSITY:

• The company's leadership emphasizes diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging with a dedicated office to these values led by Dr. Tarece Johnson-Morgan.

This report captures the extensive work and expansion of Friends of the Children as they continue to impact youth facing adversities across the United States.