Research has shown that to break the cycle of generational poverty children need long-term, relationship-based support. This support helps them to graduate from high school, remain free from involvement in the criminal justice system, and wait to parent until after their teen years, and that is exactly what Friends of the Children is doing. It is a nonprofit organization that was founded in 1993 in Portland with salaried, professional mentors—and 24 children. Today they are a $33 million dollar network with over 22 locations.

Friends of the Children was founded by Duncan Campbell, a successful business entrepreneur whose own troubled childhood inspired him to found the organization. Our innovative model pairs children who are in foster care or in high-poverty schools with a Friend. Each child selected for the program has a Friend by their side from kindergarten through high school graduation—12+ years, no matter what.

In this episode, we are joined by two of these world changing individuals CEO Terri Sorensen and Executive Director Thomas Lee. They are here to educate us on foster care, the cases, the solutions and how each of us can get involved.

Website: https://friendsofthechildren.org