Every Child Who Needs a Julia Should Have One.
Friends of the Children-Boston pairs children facing the toughest systemic challenges with a full time professional mentor, from kindergarten through high school graduation.
Will you make a gift today?
20 years of Professional Mentorship in Boston.
173 Achievers served this year through consistent, professional mentorship.
~625 caregivers and siblings served this year through wrap around support services
It's an ordinary Tuesday in Roxbury, the same as any other except for one key difference: Selena, a 2nd grader in the Friends of the Children-Boston program, resisted the urge to run out of her classroom as she usually does when overwhelmed. After facing significant challenges early on in her life, Selena never learned to self regulate when faced with difficult situations. On this particular Tuesday, she remembered the way her Professional Mentor, Julia, taught her to take a deep "bear" breath, pausing long enough to soothe herself and get through the day.
Friends of the Children-Boston finds youth facing the toughest systemic challenges and commits to them for the long term, but that commitment isn't one far off promise.
"It is hundreds of small promises made consistently every single week, for 12 years straight, from kindergarten until high school graduation."
That Tuesday for Selena was regular on the surface, but if you look closer, it is the culmination of forty Tuesdays in a row where her professional mentor Julia was able to show up for her, helping her work through what was troubling her and teaching her she can overcome anything she puts her mind to.
Every positive outcome for our youth starts the same way Selena's did, with a full time professional mentor showing up week after week. Every one of our 173 Achievers' wins this year, big and small, traces back a decision someone made to give.
Make the promise of another Tuesday.
Make a gift today.
What impact does my gift have?
The funds raised this holiday season help decide how many open seats we have for kindergarteners next year. And the need is urgent - we estimate there are 240 kindergarteners at our partner schools who qualify for our services today.
A gift expands the amount of youth we can serve next year, opening up seats for those who need professional mentorship and whole family support now. It also deepens the services we offer youth already in our program, keeping professional mentors trained, and maintaining the wrap around support necessary to break cycles of generational poverty.
How can I maximize my impact?
Becoming a monthly donor means your impact builds over time. Just as Julia shows up for Selena every Tuesday, a monthly gift is steady, reliable support that lets us keep our 12 year promise to children like her.
Is my gift tax deductible?
Yes! Gifts made by December 31 may be deductible for 2026.
*name of youth and mentor changed, not pictured here.