Klamath Falls, Ore. – New York, Boston, Seattle, Tampa Bay, Portland, and the Klamath Basin all have something in common…
They’re all centers for a mentoring program called ‘Friends of the Children’.
Program Director Holly Sharp explains that the program has a big goal for at-risk kids…
“Avoid the juvenile justice system, avoid teenage pregnancy, and graduate high school.”
‘Friends’ Executive Director Angela Groves adds that the program provides one-on-one mentoring that can help kids achieve that goal…
“We know that by placing a stable, caring adult in their life, that we will help them succeed.”
Kids that need help are identified at an early age for a long-term mentoring partnership.
“We commit to them for 12 and a half years.” Notes Sharp. “And we see them through high school graduation.”
“I lost my Mom freshman year.” Recalls program graduate Devann Lopez. “And Jan was the one who was there for me…and she was there for me to help me when I was struggling in high school, and everything – so she was a big help to get me to graduate.”
Groves says the program has been around in Klamath Falls since 2000…
“We have 27 kids in the program currently, and we’re in the process of selecting 10 additional youth.”
And, there’s a good chance that Devann Lopez will pay it forward, and serve as a mentor to one of the new kids.
“I would love to.” Says Lopez. “I think it’s a good experience for kids nowadays to have somebody there for them just to hang out with, to talk with, and to be there mostly if they have a harder life.”
‘Friends of the Children’ began in Portland in 1993.
The program claims that 83% of their kids graduate from high school.
93% stay out of trouble with the law.
And 98% avoid teenage pregnancy.
You can find out more at: www.friendsklamath.org
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