Friends Of The Children (FOTC) mission is to help our most vulnerable children living in seriously high-risk environments develop the relationships, goals, skills, and resources necessary to thrive.

Description:
Friends of the Children is the only program in the nation that connects young children with paid, professional mentors for 12 years. During kindergarten, children are matched with a full-time, professional mentor, called a Friend, who is experienced in child development.

Friends spend a minimum of four hours of one-on-one time per week with each child, from the time the child enters kindergarten, through their completion of high school. Friends work with the children as well as their teachers, families and/or guardians to develop achievable short and long-term goals that build toward an overall personalized vision. Friends use activities and projects to help build the child’s skills and confidence to reach these goals.

At least half of the time Friends spend with their children is focused on academic success. Outside of academics, the Friends enhance the children’s social, emotional and physical well-being.

History:
In 1992, The Campbell Institute for Children conducted extensive research on resilient youth and the factors that influenced their success. The research found that the single most important protective factor that fosters resiliency in high-risk children 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.

Utilizing the key findings and principles from this research, Friends of the Children was founded in Portland, Oregon in 1993 by Duncan Campbell, an entrepreneur, himself a former at-risk child. After he achieved success in the timber industry, Mr. Campbell put his energy and wealth into the establishment of a mentorship program that supports children, throughout their entire schooling career, to be successful, productive members of society. Thirteen years later, 35 mentors help guide and support 275 children who attend more than 97 different schools throughout the Portland-metropolitan area.

Friends of the Children-King County began in 2000, as Mr. Campbell invited other entrepreneurs to join with him to form independently incorporated non-profit Friends of the Children organizations in nine communities throughout the country. In 2000, the King County program became an independent non-profit and recruited two full-time mentors who serve 16 children from Thurgood Marshall Elementary School. In six years, the program has grown more than 300%. FOTC currently mentors 62 children from schools throughout King County and south Snohomish County, with eight full-time mentors.

Contact people:

Shira Rosen, Development Director, (phone), (email) Edgar Masmela, Program Director, (phone), (email)

Office fax number: (206) 328-6985

Address:

PO Box 22801 Seattle, WA 98122 This location is NOT handicap accessible

Web Site: http://www.friendskc.org

Directions:

Our physical address is 1437 23rd Ave Seattle, WA 98122. We are located in the Central District of Seattle 1/2 block north of 23rd and Union.   Nearest Bus Stop: 48, 2, 1 minute walk

Miscellaneous Information

Liability
	Yes
Does your organization welcome court-ordered community service volunteers?
	Yes
Does your organization have volunteer positions for youth 12-18?
	Yes