Friends of the Children Austin
Non-profit OrganizationsTexas, United States11-50 Employees
Friends of the Children Austin is a non-profit organization based in Austin, Texas, that works to disrupt the cycle of generational poverty by delivering sustained, professional mentoring to high-risk children from kindergarten through graduation. Each child is paired with a salaried mentor, referred to as a Friend, ensuring consistent support over 12½ years, with the aim of fostering life transformation and broader economic impact for the community. The model emphasizes early, ongoing, and holistic engagement beyond traditional volunteer roles to provide reliable guidance and advocacy for the child’s entire development. The organization serves children in its local area and operates within the broader field of youth mentoring and non-profit services dedicated to empowering vulnerable youth. Friends of the Children Austin is part of a nationwide approach that originated in Portland and is informed by research identifying the protective value of a caring adult relationship in promoting resiliency and success among at-risk youth.