Friends of the Children - Chicago | Friends of The Children Chicago

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How do you break the cycle of generational poverty? It takes a courageous and proven model.

How It Works

Impacting generational change by empowering youth who are facing the greatest obstacles through relationships with professional mentors.

Chicago SPOTLIGHT

NO MATTER WHAT IN ACTION

One Child. One Professional Mentor. 12.5 Years. No Matter What.

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Impacting generational change by empowering youth who are facing the greatest obstacles through relationships with professional mentors.

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Celebrating National Mentoring Month

Friends-Chicago Receives $999,943 Grant from Cook County Health

OUR METHOD

We select children who face multiple systemic obstacles. We amplify their voices as they write their own stories of hope and resilience.

OUR MODEL

We commit to each child for the long-term. 12.5 years, no matter what. Each child is paired with a paid professional mentor called a Friend.

Our Outcomes

92%

of youth go on to enroll in post-secondary education, serve our country or enter the workforce.

83%

of youth earn a high school diploma or a GED.

93%

of youth remain free from juvenile justice system involvement.

98%

of youth wait to parent until after their teen years.

Partners

ALBERT PICK REAL

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Cuore e Mani NEW

Elizabeth Morse Trust

Ferdi Foundation

Finnegan Family Foundation transparent

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John H Hart

Lohengrin

ONB Foundation

Paulmangellfamilyfoundation transparent

PPFF

Oak Park River Forest Rotary

Schreiber Philanthropy

Vivo Foundation