The mission of Friends of the Children San Francisco is to help the most educationally and economically disadvantaged children in San Francisco overcome family and neighborhood violence and poverty, and grow into responsible adults who can make a positive contribution to the community. Friends of the Children is the only program in the nation that provides paid, professional, staff mentors -- called Friends -- to high-risk children for twelve years.
Our goal is for all children who begin the program in first grade to graduate from high school and enroll in college. We commit to each child for twelve years and provide a year-round program, with a wide range of activities to support this goal. Our program is designed to keep children in school, out of the juvenile justice system, and away from gang involvement, early sexual activity, early parenting, drugs and alcohol, and other self-destructive behaviors that can derail school success and positive personal development. Our program is different because:
- Children join FOTC SF in first grade.
- They stay in the program for twelve years unless they leave San Francisco.
- Friends are paid, professional staff -- not volunteers.
- Friends spend a minimum of four hours per week with each child all year,
- Friends make a three-year commitment when they are hired.
- Friends adapt weekly activities to meet each child's immediate academic, behavioral, emotional, and physical needs.
800 Innes Avenue #12 | San Francisco, CA 94124-2119 | 415.642.3400 | info@fotcsf.org |
