Friends of the Children - Tampa Bay breaks the cycle of generational poverty by giving children facing the greatest challenges the support they need to create a new story. By pairing them with a caring, professional mentor that stays with them from kindergarten through high school graduation (12.5 years) these children are given the support they need to become leaders in their community! Our model is courageous, unique, and proven. We provide each child with a salaried, professional mentor, who we call a Friend, from kindergarten through graduation. 12 ½ years. No matter what. Moving mentoring out of the volunteer realm ensures the quality, consistency, and commitment needed to help the child create a new story and break the cycle of poverty. We have many stories of the highest-risk children realizing their potential: • 83% graduate from high school • 93% avoid the juvenile justice system • 98% avoid early parenting Friends of the Children was founded in 1993 by Portland entrepreneur Duncan Campbell. Campbell was inspired by his own troubled childhood in NE Portland to start a revolutionary new program to help at-risk children in the same neighborhood where he grew up. In 1992, The Institute for Children conducted extensive research on resilient youth and factors that influenced their success. The research discovered that the single most important factor that fosters resiliency in at-risk children is a caring and supportive relationship with an adult. Intervention and support must begin early, continue as the child matures, and consistently address the needs of the whole person. In 1993, Friends of the Children opened its doors in Portland with three friends serving 24 children. Today, Friends of the Children has five national chapters and two affiliates providing mentorship and support for vulnerable youth for 12 and a half years (from kindergarten though high school)-- no matter what.