Friends of the Children-Portland

Mission

Time and relationships are the most valuable resources we have, and that is what Friends of the Children-Portland promises to the youth we walk alongside. We’ve taken mentoring out of the volunteer realm and offer 1:1 guidance from full-time, salaried, professional mentors who we call Friends. 

Our mission: Impacting generational change by empowering youth who are facing the greatest obstacles through relationships with professional mentors – 12+ years, no matter what.

Bottom Line for Portland

We offer wrap-around support to the youth we serve by meeting youth where they're at and building long-term relationships with them and their community. We provide research-based, healing-centered services and enrichment activities that mitigate trauma and promote well-being, in every aspect of life. 

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Please watch the video we've included on this page to hear from our youth about what FriendsPDX means to them!

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

80% of the youth we serve identify as Black, Indigenous, and/or people of color. We acknowledge the historical and present injustices impacting marginalized communities, to which many of the youth we serve belong to. We demand equity from ourselves and from our community. We insist that all people have the necessary support to achieve all of their hopes and dreams. We amplify the voices of the youth, families, and communities we serve. We bring together different experiences, skills, and backgrounds to provide opportunities to overcome personal, systemic, and institutional barriers.

Incentives

The first $25,000 we receive will be matched, dollar for dollar, by a generous anonymous donor. 
 

All donors will receive a $5.00 coupon for Hometown Hair Lounge. 
Donors who give $25+ will receive a pass to Portland's Columbia Sportswear Company Employee Store (14100 NW Science Park Dr. location and passes valid 11.15 - 12.15.2022 or 12.16.2022 - 01.15.2022).
Donors who give $25 - $34.99 will receive a voucher for a Hopworks Urban Brewery pretzel (while supplies last).   
Donors who give $35+ will receive a voucher for a free pint at Pinolo Gelato (while supplies last). 

Please note that vouchers and passes may include terms and conditions.

All incentives will be distributed in the acknowledgment letters we mail out after receiving your gift unless you choose to opt-out of receiving incentives and/or acknowledgment.

Business Partner(s)

We are so grateful to our friends at Hopworks Urban Brewery, Pinolo Gelato, Columbia Sportswear, and
Hometown Hair Lounge for providing incentives to our donors.

We also want to recognize Pizza Thief! Pizza Thief will be hosting a proceeds day for us on Wednesday, November 9th (also a G!G Big Give Day) to support FriendsPDX! Come join us at their Northwest Portland location from 12 - 9 PM.