On Friday, November 6th, the Friends of the Children – Boston family marked an unforgettable milestone as we officially cut the ribbon on our new neighborhood home in East Boston!

While Friends-Boston has been actively walking alongside children and families in East Boston for three years, having a dedicated physical space represents a deeply significant moment in our journey. Our East Boston home is now an accessible, welcoming sanctuary where our salaried, professional mentors work one-on-one with Achievers, connect with caregivers, and deepen our roots in the community for years to come.

A Growing Need & A Lasting Commitment

This expansion is a direct response to a vital need. Across our Roxbury and East Boston sites, Friends-Boston will serve 177 young people and their families this year, including 48 Achievers who now call our East Boston site home. As families navigate systemic hurdles, rising costs, and educational and mental health challenges, our model guarantees something unconditional: a dedicated, professional mentor for 12+ years, no matter what.

As Executive Director Yi-Chin Chen shared during the celebration:

"Our expansion into East Boston is an important first step in responding to that growing need... helping families build confidence, navigate challenges, and pursue their goals."

Grateful for Our Champions & Community

An event like this is a true testament to the power of community. We extend our deepest, heartfelt gratitude to Mayor Michelle Wu, State Senator Lydia Edwards, State Representative Adrian Madaro, City Councilor Gabriela Coletta Zapata, and City Councilor Henry Santana for joining us and championing our mission. Your steadfast advocacy ensures our Achievers have the resources, visibility, and support they deserve.

We also want to send a special thank you to our foundational champions, including Liliana Arteaga and the team at the Mario Umana Academy, who first invited us into the neighborhood three years ago, as well as our philanthropic partners, including Liberty Mutual Insurance, and the many individual donors whose generous investments made this dream a reality.

Rooted in Community

Most of all, it was pure joy to be in community with everyone who makes our work meaningful: our incredible professional mentors and staff, our resilient caregivers, our inspiring Achievers, and those who stopped by to welcome us to East Boston.

Thank you to everyone who joined us, sent warm wishes, and continues to invest in the potential of our youth. Together, we are building a legacy of generational change, one child at a time!