Company information

Friends of the Children breaks the cycle of generational poverty by giving children facing the greatest obstacles the ability to create a new story. This brings life transformation to the children and tremendous economic impact on our community. Our model is courageous, unique, and proven. We provide each child with a salaried, professional mentor, whom we call a Friend, from kindergarten through graduation. 12 ½ years. No matter what. Moving mentoring out of the volunteer realm ensures the quality, consistency, and commitment needed to help the child create a new story and break the cycle of poverty. We have many stories of the children facing the greatest obstacles realizing their potential: • 83% graduate from high school, while 60% have parents who did not. • 93% avoid the juvenile justice system, while 50% have parents who were incarcerated. • 98% avoid early parenting, while 85% were born to a teen parent. Friends of the Children was founded in 1993 by Portland entrepreneur Duncan Campbell. Campbell was inspired by his own troubled childhood in NE Portland to start a revolutionary new program to help children facing the greatest obstacles in the same neighborhood where he grew up. In 1992, The Institute for Children conducted extensive research on resilient youth and the factors that influenced their success. The research discovered that the single most important factor that fosters resiliency in children facing the greatest obstacles is a caring and supportive relationship with an adult. Intervention and support must begin early, continue as the child matures, and consistently address the needs of the whole person. In 1993, Friends of the Children opened its doors in Portland with three friends serving 24 children. Today Friends reaches thousands of children in over 540 schools in communities across the nation providing mentorship and support for vulnerable youth for 12+ years (from kindergarten through high school), no matter what.