Friends of the Children is a nationwide organization dedicated to breaking the cycle of generational poverty. Their mission is to empower youth facing significant obstacles by providing them with long-term relationships with professional mentors. This unique model, developed in Portland, Oregon in 1993, revolves around entering the lives of children at an early age and providing them with a dedicated, caring adult who remains by their side for a minimum of 12 years, regardless of the challenges they face.

Friends of the Children–Boston, founded in 2004, is an independent 501(c)(3) organization that adopted this national model. They were the first organization brought to Boston by the GreenLight Fund, a venture philanthropy firm. Today, Friends of the Children operates in multiple cities across the country and continues to grow rapidly.

Their core values guide their work, emphasizing the importance of putting children first, building relationships on love, committing to empowerment, pursuing goals relentlessly, and demanding equity. Friends of the Children–Boston serves over 120 children in various schools throughout Boston, and they also engage with the families of these young achievers. With a lifetime retention rate of 75%, they have successfully transformed the lives of many children and their communities