Mission
FRIENDS OF THE CHILDREN - SEATTLE HAS A MISSION OF IMPACTING GENERATIONAL CHANGE BY EMPOWERING YOUTH WHO ARE FACING THE GREATEST OBSTACLES THROUGH RELATIONSHIPS WITH PROFESSIONAL MENTORS - 12+ YEARS, NO MATTER WHAT. YOUTH IN THE FRIENDS PROGRAM FACE CONSIDERABLE CHALLENGES, INCLUDING PLACEMENT IN THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM, UNDER-RESOURCED NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS, HOMELESSNESS, HUNGER, AND CHALLENGES IN ACCESS TO AND QUALITY OF HEALTH CARE. FRIENDS OF THE CHILDREN WORKS WITH THE GOAL OF HELPING PROGRAM YOUTH OVERCOME THESE CHALLENGES WITH STRONG FOUNDATIONS FOR CONTINUING ACHIEVEMENT, INCLUDING INCREASING THE LIKELIHOOD OF HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION OR EARNING A GED; INCREASING THE LIKELIHOOD OF ENROLLING IN POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION, SERVING OUR COUNTRY, OR ENTERING THE WORKFORCE; INCREASING THE LIKELIHOOD OF WAITING TO PARENT UNTIL AFTER THEIR TEEN YEARS; AND DECREASING THE LIKELIHOOD OF JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM INVOLVEMENT.