Jorie Das Named Executive Director of Friends of the Children-Los Angeles

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 4, 2022

CONTACT: Delani Delgado

ddelgado@friendsla.org

213-378-0704

Los Angeles, CA – Friends of the Children-Los Angeles announced today that Jorie Das, a seasoned community and nonprofit leader, will lead the Los Angeles chapter. Friends of the Children-Los Angeles is a chapter of Friends of the Children, a national nonprofit that pairs children who face multiple systemic obstacles with a salaried, professional mentor, called a Friend, for 12+ years, no matter what.

Jorie, born in Los Angeles, and raised in Oregon, has more than ten years of experience developing and managing nonprofit organizations in the Greater Los Angeles area, emphasizing youth programming and advocacy for vulnerable communities. She is an experienced youth development specialist and Organizational Development Professional with a solid history of success in the child welfare landscape. Jorie is committed to building strong families, delivering effective services, and significantly improving outcomes for children in the child welfare system.

“We could not be more pleased that Jorie will be officially taking the helm at such a pivotal moment,” said Peter Lizotte, Chair of the Los Angeles Board of Directors. “Her leadership skills and passion for our work will help her steer the organization forward in this exciting time of growth. Through our Two-Generation approach, Jorie’s background and enduring commitment to youth and their families will ensure our youth continue to gain access to a future they deserve. I look forward to supporting Jorie and our entire Friends of the Children-Los Angeles team as we expand our work to reach even more deserving youth in our community.”

Jorie joined Friends-LA in 2019 as Chief of Staff, overseeing all strategic initiatives and operations. In October of 2021, Jorie stepped into the role of Interim Executive Director. Her leadership in this role strengthened organizational capacity, including increasing the number of youth served, launching a new satellite office in Antelope Valley, building relationships with private and public agencies, and expanding programs to new service planning areas. Before joining the Friends of the Children–Los Angeles team, Jorie served as Interim Executive Director at InsideOUT Writers and worked in executive leadership roles at Baby2Baby and Free Arts.

As Executive Director, Jorie will continue to lead the Los Angeles chapter, which is celebrating its 5th anniversary this year. Friends of the Children was started in Portland, Oregon in 1993 by entrepreneur Duncan Campbell and is now in 25 locations across the country and in the U.K. Friends of the Children-Los Angeles is one of the fastest growing chapters in the Friends of the Children network.

"I am extremely excited and honored to serve as the next executive director of Friends LA,” said Das. “I have enjoyed being a part of this wonderful community, spending every day strengthening youth and families, and building an aspirational organization for our staff and volunteers. I've witnessed the work of our gifted and committed Friends and how the power of "One" can change a child's story.”

Das continued: "I would also like to recognize the tremendous effort put forth by the Friends-LA team and Board of Directors whose dedication and work have made this organization what it is today. Their collective skills and vision are unmatched, and I appreciate their commitment to the organization's success. I'm thrilled for all that lies ahead for Friends LA!"

Research funded by the Annie E. Casey Foundation showed that the presence of a Friend in a child’s life benefits the entire family. Another recent CDC report called out the practice of mentoring as a promising strategy for preventing and lessening the harm from childhood trauma. A third-party evaluation of Friends of the Children program graduates showed that:

• 92% of graduates go on to enroll in post-secondary education, serve our country or enter the workforce
• 83% of youth obtain a high school diploma or GED
• 93% remain free from juvenile justice system involvement
• 98% wait to parent until after their teen years

In a study conducted by the Harvard Business School Association of Oregon, every $1 invested in Friends of the Children, the community benefits over $7 in saved social costs. Helping one child saves the community $900,000.

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About Friends of the Children-Los Angeles

Friends of the Children-Los Angeles empowers children and families affected by foster care through long-term relationships with a paid, professional mentor for 12+ years, no matter what. Friends LA currently works in service to children and families throughout LA County, with a focus on Service Planning Areas 1, 4, 6, and 8.