A national nonprofit impacting generational change by pairing youth facing the greatest obstacles w/ a paid, professional mentor for 12+ years, no matter what. We impact generational change by providing children facing the greatest obstacles with a long-term, salaried, professional mentor, who who we call a “Friend,” from age 4 through high school graduation – 12+ years, no matter what. The mission of Friends of the Children is to impact generational change by empowering youth who are facing the greatest obstacles through relationships with professional mentors – 12+ years, no matter what. To achieve our mission, we identify kindergartners experiencing poverty, trauma, and at highest risk of involvement in the child welfare system. Once enrolled, each child is supported year-round by a highly-trained, professional—not volunteer—mentor (called a “Friend) who helps them create and reach short- and long-term academic and prosocial development goals, from kindergarten through high school graduation–12+ years, no matter what!