Empowering youth through mentorship

Kids need positive role models and caring adults in their lives in order to thrive. This is particularly true of youth who endure multiple adverse experiences early in life, such as extreme poverty, foster care, incarceration of a parent or housing instability. For them, steady support and guidance can be the key to overcoming adversity and realizing their inherent resilience and full potential. Friends of the Children – SW Washington (Friends – SW Washington) is committed to providing long-term mentoring for kids in such situations.

The organization’s model was founded on research showing that the single most important factor in overcoming childhood adversity is a long-term, nurturing relationship with a consistent and caring adult. Subsequent research over the past three decades continues to affirm how much these relationships matter. Friends – SW Washington partners with community organizations, schools and foster care systems to identify children aged five to six who could most benefit from a relationship with a mentor. It is the first and only long-term professional mentoring program in the country.

The SW Washington chapter of Friends of the Children launched in 2020 to directly address the specific needs of their community. As experts in building sustained and nurturing relationships with youth, the nonprofit hires and trains full-time mentors, called “Friends,” and commits to supporting a child from kindergarten through graduation —12+ years of support, no matter what.

“Every child deserves the opportunity to dream big and reach their goals,” said Allison Pauletto, the executive director of the Friends – SW Washington chapter. “Even those facing extreme adversity can thrive when empowered with consistent, long-term love and support from a dedicated mentor.”

“Every child deserves the opportunity to dream big and reach their goals.”

—     Allison Pauletto, Executive Director, Friends – SW Washington

Creating generational change

Davidson & Associates got involved with FOTC in 2020 when agency principal Bryce Davidson and his wife Laurell were invited to an auction to help launch the SW Washington chapter. The Davidsons left the event convinced that their region needed these services and deeply impressed with the Friends of the Children model. They have been supporting the nonprofit ever since.

Along with attending fundraisers, volunteering and donating money, the agency supports Friends – SW Washington through its Referral Rewards Program and by inviting the nonprofit to set up an informational booth at a golf tournament they sponsor put on by the local chamber of commerce. The agency is also a key sponsor at Friends – SW Washington’s signature fundraising event, Future in Focus. In addition, the Davidsons are part of the board of the local chapter and use business connections to help recruit volunteers and donors and spread awareness of the organization’s good work in the community. Agency employees are also given paid time off to volunteer with FOTC or other charities.

“We believe FOTC is creating lasting, positive change in our growing community,” said Davidson. “Forming connections and creating opportunities for kids facing serious challenges allows them to grow and thrive, while benefiting the community as a whole.”

A proven model for success

Friends – SW Washington currently serves nearly 96 kids in the area. Each child in the program is paired with a mentor who spends 44 hours each week with them at school, at home and in the community. Over 12+, the mentors and children build a trusting relationship through a trauma-informed lens that provides critical social, emotional and academic support. And the results are remarkable.

A third-party evaluation of the program revealed that 92% of graduates go on to enroll in post-secondary education, serve our country or enter the workforce; 83% earn a high school diploma; and 93% remain free of juvenile justice system involvement.

“We believe FOTC is creating lasting, positive change in our growing community.”

– Bryce Davidson, Principal, Davidson & Associates Insurance

Promoting healthy social and emotional development

Your vote can help the Friends of the Children – SW Washington receive a $10,000 donation. The funding would provide mental health support for students and pay for after-school activities, books and school supplies.

Help Davidson & Associates Insurance win $10,000 for Friends of the Children SW Washington by clicking the vote button. Get them an extra vote by cheering them on in the comments below by Nov. 1.