Program Interest

What does Friends of the Children – Los Angeles do?

Friends of the Children — Los Angeles (Friends LA) pairs children, ages 4 to 6, of parenting foster youth with a salaried, professional mentor called a Friend who stays by their side for 12+ years, no matter what. Friends help youth navigate life, building on their personal strengths and empowering families to access the resources available to them.

We combine the strength of our long-term relationships with the expertise of community service providers to meet the unique needs of each of our program youth and their families. In short:

• Friends support parent's hopes and dreams for their children
• Friends spend time in each child's school, home and community
• Friends provide one-on-one educational support in and out of the classroom
• Friends promote social and emotional development
• Friends help children and families build their social capital
• Friends link children and families to community resources

Eligibility Criteria

• Child resides within Service Planning Areas 1, 4, 6, and 8 within Los Angeles County (Antelope Valley, Metro-South Los Angeles, and South Bay).
• Child is between the ages of 4-6 years old.
• Family has received DCFS services (ER, Family Reunification, Family Maintenance, Kinship) that are closed/are closing.
• Caregiver is a previous foster youth of AB-12 qualified.