FRIENDS OF THE CHILDREN IS A PREVENTION AND EARLY INTERVENTION PROGRAM HELPING THE CHILDREN FACING THE GREATEST RISK FACTORS DEVELOP THE RELATIONSHIPS, GOALS AND SKILLS NECESSARY TO BREAK THE CYCLE OF POVERTY, ABUSE AND VIOLENCE AND CHANGE THEIR LIFE'S TRAJECTORY. WE WORK WITH CHILDREN STARTING IN KINDERGARTEN AND STAY WITH THEM THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION - NO MATTER WHAT. EACH CHILD IS PAIRED WITH A "FRIEND" (A SALARIED, TRAINED, PROFESSIONAL, FULL-TIME STAFF MEMBER OF FRIENDS OF THE CHILDREN) AND THEY SPEND 4 HOURS A WEEK TOGETHER 1:1 - IN SCHOOL, AT HOME AND IN THE COMMUNITY.