Download Full Report Friends of the Children-Seattle is dedicated to impacting generational change by helping youth who are facing the toughest systemic barriers in our community realize their power through relationships with salaried, professional mentors, for 12+ years—no matter what. During outings, youth connect with opportunities in the community, learn new things, try new experiences, and strengthen their confidence. Outings are tailored for each age group; K-5 youth are exposed to as many things as possible, and as youth get older and graduate to our teen program, they explore passions and pursue career goals. K-5 Program “This year, family engagement is stronger than ever. It has contributed to a solid foundation for our organization. Looking ahead, our goal is to enhance tracking during the early stages of the program to drive greater success in both K-5 and Teen.” — Doneka Lang, Senior Director of Programs, K-5 Building FoundationsK-5 is a crucial time to build strong mentor relationships, establish routines, and explore possibilities. By fostering connections and intentional programming, we support youth in discovering their strengths, setting goals, and making progress toward realizing their full potential.Academic ExplorationMentors support K-5 youth both in the classroom and beyond, fostering positive learning experiences. Uniquely in our K-5 program, mentors can join youth in their classrooms and integrate challenging subjects into outings—like keeping books in the car to encourage reading before playing. This helps improve confidence with learning and facing difficult subjects.Highlight: This summer, youth met community service members and experienced positive interactions with law enforcement. Introducing our K-5 youth to professionals like teachers, chefs, and business leaders helps them build a foundation for planning their careers and futures—which they explore further when they are promoted to our Teen program. Teen Program"We're committed to deepening our Teen program’s impact, ensuring teens have the support they need in an ever-evolving world. Many of the current youth were in elementary school when the pandemic began—now they're navigating high school, still facing its lasting effects. As challenges evolve, so must we, adapting to meet their needs with patience and dedication." — Sheena Fanuncial, Senior Director of Programs, Teen Social Emotional ReadinessTeens in our program set goals and build plans for adulthood. From ages 11 to 18, they develop financial skills, stay on-track for graduation, explore careers, engage in diverse experiences, give back to their communities, connect with adult role models, and more. These experiences, guided by long-term mentorship, support them in building a strong foundation for a successful future. College ReadinessTeens engaged in an HBCU Alumni Panel, visited University of Washington, and Lake Washington Institute of Technology. These experiences helped them envision a future in higher education and make informed decisions about their paths in life.Career ReadinessFrom Nordstrom Day to resume workshops with West Monroe Partners, teens explored career paths and gained essential job skills, building confidence for a successful transition into the workforce.Highlight: From Slopes to SuccessThrough our 10+ year partnership with SOS Snowboarding, youth have the opportunity to hit the slopes at Snoqualmie Summit. With mentor guidance, these outings teach persistence, teamwork, and goal-setting—skills that go way beyond the summit.