Be a Part of Generational Change - Celebrate 25 Years of Commitment with Us

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December 11, 2024

The Power of Mentorship Today

Discover the present-day power of mentorship in this second article of our 25th Anniversary Series.

Every day, Friends of the Children-Seattle walks alongside youth in the Greater Seattle Area and bear witness to their courage as they navigate growing social, emotional, and personal challenges. These challenges, magnified by the ongoing effects of a world reshaped by the pandemic, can feel insurmountable. Mental health struggles, social isolation, and family hardships weigh heavily on today’s youth. Yet, amidst these difficulties, one thing remains constant—at Friends-Seattle, youth never face these struggles alone.

A Story of Resilience: Kylo Rises Above
Take Kylo*, for example. Kylo is a bright and capable young person who has recently experienced the heartache of a parent’s absence. This loss brought confusion, anger, and difficulties connecting with others. At times, the weight of his emotions seemed overwhelming.

But Kylo has access to a unique support system—a dedicated professional mentor, Sam. As Kylo’s mentor, Sam provides consistent support, guidance, and unconditional care.

Sam focuses on creating spaces where Kylo feels safe, valued, and heard. Together, they work on understanding and managing big emotions through simple but powerful practices. One such practice is mindful breathing; a tool they use to calm moments of frustration and regain focus.

On the soccer field, when emotions run high, Sam is there with a gentle reminder: “Feel the wind on your hand. Focus on the present, then, proceed.” With each calming breath, Kylo takes a step forward. Every successful pass and goal scored is more than just a victory on the field—it’s a reminder of his strength, resilience, and ability to rise above challenges.

The Power of Long-Term Mentorship
Stories like Kylo’s illustrate why Friends-Seattle commits to youth for 12+ years—no matter what. This long-term model allows mentors like Sam to build meaningful relationships with the youth they serve. These relationships become lifelines, providing stability, trust, and a sense of belonging.

We’re proud to share that 91% of the youth at Friends-Seattle report ‘feeling safe and supported by their mentors’, and 92% are building essential coping and problem-solving skills. These numbers represent real progress, real connection, and the real lasting impact mentorship can have on youth.

However, there are many more young people like Kylo who face overwhelming challenges and need the support of a trusted mentor, and we know that we can’t do this work alone. Your support helps provide the long-term mentoring relationships and critical resources that these youth and their families rely on.

Will you make a commitment to Friends-Seattle and invest in the future of our community? Together, we can ensure that youth continue to feel supported, no matter what. Help us reach our goal of $250,000 by our 25th anniversary on May 4, 2025, to impact generational change for the next 25 years.

Celebrate 25 Years of Commitment with us at https://friendsseattle.org/celebrating25

*Names have been changed to protect the privacy and anonymity of youth.

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