Our model is distinct, courageous, and proven. We have redefined the youth mentoring field by creating the first and only long-term professional mentoring program in the country. Our Friends are experts in building sustained, nurturing relationships with youth, especially those who have faced significant adversity. Grounded in decades of research, we know that the most important factor in overcoming childhood adversity is a consistent, caring adult and our data shows that this approach works.
We focus on children ages 4 to 6 who have experienced multiple adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and are facing systemic barriers. Partnering with schools, community organizations, and foster care systems, we identify those who can benefit most from long-term support. Each child is paired with a full-time, paid professional mentor a Friend who commits to walking alongside them for 12+ years, from kindergarten through graduation, no matter what.
Our Friends dedicate their full-time efforts to empowering youth and their caregivers. Each mentor works with 8 children spending 4 hours per week with each child and at least 16 intentional hours per month building a strong, individualized relationship. Together, Friends and youth set goals, build life skills, and explore each child’s unique talents and interests. Our work is relationship-based, intentional, and guided by nine research-based Core Assets that support long-term social and emotional development.
We support youth across all areas of their lives at school, at home, and in the community ensuring consistency and stability in every environment that shapes their growth. By taking a whole-child approach, our Friends serve as a bridge between these spaces, advocating in schools, building community connections, and becoming trusted resources for caregivers.
We are equal parts head and heart. We continuously evaluate, measure, and improve our work using data from Friends, youth, and families. Our model is further validated through rigorous, ongoing third-party research, including a longitudinal randomized-controlled trial the longest of its kind led by researchers from the University of Washington and New York University.
Impacting generational change by empowering youth, who are facing the greatest obstacles, through relationships with professional mentors – 12+ years, no matter what.
Our organization’s greatest need is sustained investment to expand and deepen our long-term, professional mentoring model for children facing the highest levels of adversity. Because we commit to each child for 12+ years, consistent funding is essential to ensure stability, continuity, and quality in every relationship we build.
We need resources to recruit, train, and retain full-time professional mentors (“Friends”), who are the foundation of our model. Competitive salaries, ongoing professional development, and strong support systems are critical to maintaining the consistency and expertise our children and families and families deserve.
Additional funding is needed to grow our reach, allowing us to serve more children ages 4 to 6 who are experiencing multiple adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). This includes expanding partnerships with schools, child welfare systems, and community organizations to identify and enroll youth who can benefit most from our program.
We also seek investment in program infrastructure, including data systems, evaluation, and continuous improvement efforts. These tools ensure we remain accountable, measure outcomes, and strengthen our impact over time.
Finally, we need support for family engagement, enrichment activities, and community-based experiences that help our youth build life skills, explore their interests, and expand their opportunities. These investments are essential to delivering a comprehensive, whole-child approach that empowers children to thrive in school, at home, and in their communities.
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
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