Friends for Youth Inc

Let’s Move 10 Kids off the Wait List!

• 55 kids waiting for mentors (34 boys and 21 girls)
• Average wait time: 8 months
• Most from single-parent homes
• Many have a history of abuse
• 20% have an incarcerated parent
• 90% live in poverty
• 68% live in extremely low poverty (less than $16K/year)
• 100% referred from schools and youth-service providers 

Double Dollars, Double Impact

• Your gift of $1 = $2 
• 100% match by a generous supporter up to $3,000
• 100% match by Sobrato Family Foundation for new donors or an increased year-on-year gift by past supporters up to $14,000 

Return on Impact Investment

• 1:23 return: Every $1 invested in mentoring for the most economically disadvantaged youth generates $23 in social return
• $233,000: Annual cost to incarcerate a youth in California 
• $2,345: Annual cost of recruiting, screening, training, events, and ongoing support for each mentoring match

Milestone Story: A Mentee Becomes A Mentor

An organizational milestone, the first mentee becomes a mentor in 2016.

In 1998, 13-year-old Juan was struggling to make friends, pass his classes and needed to improve his English language skills. After being referred by his middle school counselor, Juan met his mentor, Trish. His life took a new trajectory. He became the first in his family to go to college and graduated with a degree in Child Development. Today, Juan is now a positive role model for his mentee, Mateo. “It makes me feel good when I expose him to something new… His dad approached me and said I just want to thank you for what you’re doing for [us].” 

At-Risk Youth Challenges

At no fault of their own, 100% of youth in our program are at risk of academic failure because of family dynamics or economic status. They are also susceptible to drug and alcohol abuse, violence, gang participation, and getting in legal trouble.

• 20% of California youth drop out of school each year
• 50% of low income and minority youth fail to graduate on time
• 20% of local disadvantaged youth scored proficient in Algebra 1

Real Wait List Profile: Maria

Maria, 13, lives in an apartment with her mother and three siblings. Her mother works long hours since her father is currently incarcerated for domestic violence. Maria has some anger issues and was recently suspended for an altercation with peers. She is not involved in any activities, but is very artistic. Maria hopes she and her mentor will share lots of laughs and that she will “learn more and become more mature.”

Real Wait List Profile: Alex

Alex immigrated to the U.S. from Nicaragua when he was a toddler. He was separated from his parents along the way and now lives with his grandmother and cousins. She works multiple jobs so Alex does not get much of her time, and he worries about her health. Alex, 11, enjoys soccer and having interesting conversations.  Alex wants a role model who can expose him to fun activities, listen and help motivate him in school.

Evidence Your Gift Will Make A Difference

Pioneering the mentoring field since 1979, Friends for Youth has been transforming the lives of at-risk youth through the power of mentoring. Lead by recognized mentoring expert Becky Cooper, our program excellence is acknowledged as the “gold standard” mentoring model. Backed by 16 years of statistically relevant research and our unrivaled 90% success rate (compared to other mentoring programs average of 30-60%), the data says it all: 

• 100% stay in school
• 80% avoid/decrease use of alcohol or drugs
• 89% avoid legal involvement
• 96% discover a new outlet for expression

Help expand the positive ripple effect of mentoring today!