Friends of the Children

In early 2024, Friends of the Children invited program youth to embark on a creative journey of self-expression through the transformative power of art. Youth from across the country, guided by the theme “Who Am I?”, explored their identity, culture, and sense of belonging within their communities. This led to a a powerful collection of artworks that tells their stories. The heART of the Children is a book that features over 400 youth art projects, including paintings, poetry, sculpture, and video. This book showcases the heart and creativity of the youth in our programs, and we are honored to share the online gallery with you here: https://bit.ly/41Kzukj Thank you to Greg & Michele Goodwin for making this youth art project possible! We are grateful for their commitment to our mission and collaboration in bringing this vision to life.

A very warm welcome to the newest member of the Friends of the Children - National team! We are thrilled to have Drew Tyson as our Marketing & Web Specialist. Drew brings extensive experience in marketing, brand strategy, and digital engagement. We asked Drew about working at Friends of the Children and he said: "The people here are what excite me most. Their passion for the mission is contagious, and it’s inspiring to be part of a team that truly believes in its impact. I’m eager to help elevate Friends of the Children’s digital marketing by adding a fresh voice and a data-driven approach. Seeing the growth of the mission, especially during such critical times, motivates me deeply. It’s amazing to be part of something that’s so meaningful."

This #NationalReadingMonth, pick up a copy of “A Kids Book About Friendship”, a children’s book inspired by Friends of the Children founder Duncan Campbell. Friendship is one of the most important things we humans do. So, knowing how to make friends and be a good friend really matters! In the pages of the book, Duncan shares his special equation for friendship, and talks all about how vital and beautiful it is to build friendships with others. Thank you to Duncan and to A Kids Co. for amplifying the important message that friendship can happen anywhere, with anyone! Order the book today here: https://amzn.to/3QxkVKu

What a start to the year! It was a busy January, and you can relive some exciting moments in this recap video which include Simone Biles, Sports Illustrated, our founder Duncan Campbell, the Today Show, and a national billboard campaign. There is more to come this year—stay tuned for stories and share with others!

Friends of the Children's March newsletter is here! This month, we’re celebrating Women’s History Month with the inspiring journey of Freddi McCullers, a Friends – New York graduate and the life-changing impact of having a caring mentor for 12+ years, no matter what. Plus, it's National Reading Month, and we're highlighting how literacy builds confidence for youth in our program. Don’t miss our latest updates, including Simone Biles’ Paws for a Cause campaign and a special January recap! Read the March newsletter here: https://bit.ly/43KJifN

We're Hiring! Friends of the Children - Eastern Washington is looking to fill two positions to help lead and grow our new chapter. We are looking for passionate and skilled candidates to join the team as an Operations Director and a Program Director. If you're a dedicated leader who believes in the power of mentorship and is ready to make a lasting impact on youth and families, we want to hear from you! Are you this person or do you know them? To learn more about the two positions, click the links below. 🔗 Operations Director | Apply now: https://lnkd.in/gQxdek6H 🔗 Program Director | Apply now: https://lnkd.in/gbc73SEe Join us in breaking the cycle of generational poverty—one child at a time!

Happy Birthday, Simone Biles! We are so grateful for your unwavering support of Friends of the Children. Your dedication as an ambassador continues to inspire us and has made an incredible impact for kids across the country this past year. Thank you for your partnership and the joy you bring to our youth, families, and Friends!    Recently, the Friends of the Children - Houston chapter met up with Simone at the Simone Biles Invitational for an amazing day! Thank you to Simone Biles, Jonathan Owens, World Champions Centre, and the entire Biles family for making dreams come true and creating unforgettable moments for youth and their families. Simone surprised the Friends – Houston team with an autographed plaque and an Olympic medal to hang up in their clubhouse.     Join us in wishing Simone the happiest of birthdays!  

This #NationalReadingMonth, we celebrate the power of literacy and mentorship! At Friends of the Children - Chicago, a four-week literacy session helped kids feel more confident with books, letters, and words. When Jonathan – a Friend - asked Carter to complete the sentence “I am ___,” Carter’s response was “I am bad.” With support from his mentor and talking through his feelings, he then rewrote the sentence as “I am brave.” Literacy is more than reading—it’s about confidence too. With 12+ years of mentorship, we help children build skills and belief in themselves.

Friends of the Children is honored to be making a difference with Paws for a Cause! Join Nulo Pet Food and Simone Biles in being a champion for children – and pets! Nulo will donate 10% of sales from the purchase of any Nulo products from participating retailers between February 15th and March 31st to support Friends of the Children. Please visit https://bit.ly/4h076PE for more information or to locate your nearest participating retailer!

This Women’s History Month, we honor the extraordinary power of mentorship and the bright futures being forged by inspiring leaders like Freddi McCullers. A proud graduate of Friends of the Children NY, Freddi’s journey is a shining testament to the transformative impact of having a dedicated, caring mentor by your side, through every challenge, every triumph, for over 12 years. Freddi’s story is one of possibility, resilience, and hope. With the unwavering support of her long-term mentors Jamali, Keidera, and Alicia, she discovered her confidence, pursued her dreams at Syracuse University, and now thrives as a successful event planner in Atlanta. Her journey reminds us that when women are uplifted, they rise and they shine. But Freddi’s story doesn’t end there. She’s paying it forward, lifting others as she was lifted. From raising funds for young girls in Zimbabwe to mentoring the next generation, Freddi is living proof that one caring adult can change a life and that life can go on to change countless others. Freddi’s legacy is a powerful reminder that when we invest in our children, we nurture strong, confident leaders who create ripples of lasting change. This Women’s History Month, let’s celebrate the mentors, the trailblazers, and the future-shapers like Freddi, who remind us that the future is bright. Happy #WomensHistoryMonth! Here’s to the women who lead, inspire, and change the world. Read more about Freddi’s inspiring story here: https://bit.ly/3Z1KGXh