Message to Friends of Friends

The Coronavirus (COVID-19) has filled all our lives with anxiety and uncertainty. It is also creating unique and unforeseen challenges for nonprofits like us, but more importantly, deeply affecting the lives of the children and parents we serve at Friends of the Children–Los Angeles (Friends–L.A.). We are all working hard to sort out how we will proceed as the situation evolves in the coming days, weeks and possibly months. Life reminds us that we can’t always control what happens to us, but we can control how we respond.

We are doing everything in our power, but we are limited without your support.

Please donate today

At Friends–L.A., we exemplify all of the core assets we teach children and parents on a weekly basis. This is a time for hope, resilience and grit, and a greater sense of belonging. There is an idea within stoicism called Sympatheia, which means we are made for each other—we are all in this together. We are proactively taking action to prioritize the safety and well-being of our Friends–L.A. community, while also actively planning for extended school closures and other potential developments. We are committed to maintaining a safe work environment for our team while fulfilling our mission. As part of our dedication to our children, our local and national teams have carefully mapped out a path for our Friends to continue serving our kids and families when schools close.

- Friends are adhering to social distancing guidelines but spending this time productively. We are making sure that we emerge at a future date from this moment in time closer and more committed to looking after each other.

- Friends maintaining relationships on love by doing our part to limit our team’s exposure to COVID-19 and deepening our connections to families in the Antelope Valley and South Los Angeles communities.

- Friends are connecting with each child’s teacher to ensure continuity of academics due to school closures.

- Friends are communicating with each child and parent remotely using technology to maintain connections and linkage to supports.

Our families are more vulnerable now than before. They need a range of immediate aid – grocery store gift cards, learning assistance like laptops, tablets, school supplies, Brita water filters, sanitation and hygiene items. We’re here to provide all the support we can, and we need your help too.

There is a role for all of us to play to make sure we fulfill our commitments to each child and family: “Friends are here for you—12+ years, no matter what!” Click here to donate and remind each child we serve that we share the same hopes and dreams. We are grateful for your support and commitment to our children and families.

Friendship is essential to the soul,

Thomas Lee,
Executive Director