friendsofthechildrenboston.org

Friends of the Children is a new kind of mentoring organization committed to fostering high academic achievement and strong character development in children. The goal of their comprehensive approach is to support children and their families so that students can learn to make positive decisions and actions and become successful members of their communities.

Friends-Boston pairs children (Achievers) who are facing and reacting to adverse conditions with professional full-time paid mentors (Friends) for twelve years beginning in first grade and continuing through high school graduation. Each Friend mentors eight Achievers and spends a minimum of four hours weekly, year-round, with each student. Friends-Boston also provides a vital connection between families and resources to remove obstacles to success.

The Friends-Boston model of professional mentoring was developed in Portland, Oregon in 1993, and now operates in several states across the nation. As a completely independent and locally funded organization, they are evaluating and refining the model to serve the specific needs of Boston's children. Friends-Boston works to ensure that every Achiever will:

Although the Highland Street Foundation trustees support many organizations that provide personal mentoring and encouragement to youngsters from low-income families, the trustees were particularly impressed by the unique long-term and holistic focus of the Friends-Boston program. Despite being relatively new to Boston, the remarkable established track record of this organization garnered our attention, and subsequently, our support.