We pair children with a full-time, paid professional mentor called a Friend. Kids join us between the ages of 4-6, and their Friend stays with them for 12+ years, no matter what.
Our Friends show up week after week, at school, at home, and in the community. They learn what makes each kid light up, help them set goals and build skills, and stay steady through all the years a child is growing up. We support caregivers right alongside their children, because a family's stability and a child's growth move together.
Our approach is grounded in decades of research, and its results are measured in a long-term study led by the University of Washington and New York University. But the heart of it is simple. A child does better with someone in their corner who stays.
Impacting generational change by empowering youth, who are facing the greatest obstacles, through relationships with professional mentors. 12+ years, no matter what.
When something unexpected lands on a family, a Friend is already there, someone the child knows and trusts, ready to help right away. It might be a ride when there's no way to get somewhere that matters, a meal at the end of a hard week, or a need that comes up with no room to wait. A gift to Friends of the Children – Dallas gives our Friends the flexibility to meet those moments as they happen, so a family never has to wait for help to arrive.
Our organization is grounded in a deep commitment to equity, recognizing that many of the children and families we serve face systemic barriers shaped by historical and ongoing inequities. We believe that every child deserves the opportunity to thrive, regardless of their background, zip code, or circumstances.
We intentionally serve youth who have been impacted by structural inequities, including poverty, racism, and limited access to resources. By pairing each child with a long-term, professional mentor, we work to ensure that they have consistent support, advocacy, and access to opportunities that help level the playing field.
Equity is embedded in how we design and deliver our program. We take a whole-child, trauma-informed approach that honors each child’s lived experience, culture, and identity. Our Friends build authentic, trusting relationships with youth and families, meeting them where they are and tailoring support to their individual strengths and needs.
We are also committed to advancing equity within our organization. This includes recruiting and retaining a diverse staff, fostering an inclusive and respectful workplace culture, and engaging in ongoing learning and reflection to address bias and improve our practices.
Ultimately, our goal is not only to support individual children, but to contribute to a more just and equitable community where all young people have the resources, relationships, and opportunities they need to reach their full potential.
Organization name
Friends of the Children - Dallas
Tax id (EIN)
39-2831311
Causes
Youth & Children
Operating Budget
$500,000 - $999,999
Counties Served
Dallas
BIPOC Serving
Black or African American, Hispanic or Latinx
BIPOC Leadership
Executive Director/CEO
Address
1800 N. Lamar Street