Misstropolis

Tuesday, May 08, 2007

Friends to Children Who Need Them Most

by Robin Hauck

Email to a friendPrint this article

Twelve years. From first grade through senior year - just think back a minute about all that happened, all you did, and how much you changed during those early school years. And think about how important it was to have strong role models in your life.

Friends of the Children is an early intervention organization that makes a promise to at-risk children to provide a consistent role model and a community of support for the span of that critical twelve years. This innovative, daunting approach was initiated by entrepreneur Duncan Campbell in 1993, with the first Friends in Portland, Oregon. They now have six offices in various cities across the nation.

Three years ago the Greenlight Fund, a venture capital firm specializing in bringing existing high-performing charities to Boston, made the opening of Friends Boston possible. Friends of the Children is especially dependent of fundraising and investments, because their commitment to provide long term role models for children is achieved by creating jobs for adults. “Friends” as the mentors are called, are full-time employees, with a salary and benefits equal to that of a starting teacher. Duncan Campbell recognized that the best way to ensure consistency in the child-mentor relationship was to hire professionals, trained and financially motivated to stay.

Friends Boston identifies vulnerable kindergarteners from John Marshall, one of Boston’s most troubled schools, in an area with one of the highest violent crime rates in the city. Once children are chosen for the program, they become Achievers, and are matched with a Friend who will stay with them for twelve years. The Boston chapter now has 6 full time Friends, and hopes to add two new Friends a year. Friends spend a minimum of four hours each week after school and on weekends with each of their eight program children.

Imari Paris Jeffries is the Exec. Director of the Boston organization. He brings a wealth of experience and a keen perspective to the job, which make his passion for it that much more impressive. “Friends views itself not only as a mentoring program, but as a program that respects all children,” he says. Jeffries explains the importance of an aspect of the Boston Friends that is not part of the programs in other states. In Boston, families can become Family Friends, and as an entire family, become a part of a child (an Achiever’s) life.

Julie Hitch and Allison Monaghan have both had incredible experiences with their own families as Family Friends since the organization first came to Boston. Hitch, from Wellesley, was looking for ways to get her children involved in giving back that would encourage them to continue giving and thinking philanthropically, as she and her husband always have. Monaghan has also seen great benefits for her children in spending time with their Achiever. She says one of the greatest things about Friends of the Children is their core theme that everyone learns from everyone else. Friends learn from Achievers who learn from each other as well as their Friend, and the Family can learn as much as they can teach. This sense of sharing helps give these at-risk kids a better sense of confidence than a more traditional hierarchical approach.

Both Hitch and Monaghan are thanking the organization for the wonderful experiences their families have had by chairing the upcoming Friend Raiser event on May 31 at the EpiCenter in Boston. From 6-9pm, the Friends will host a casual cocktail party and auction to raise the funds they need to continue their crucial work. Please consider attending the event to learn more about Friends, or support the cause in a way that feels right to you. Even after twelve years of successful mentoring for these Achievers, there will be more children who need your help!