Join us on Saturday, June 16 at West Seattle Bowl for the 2012 Bowl-a-Thon presented by Davis Wright Tremaine as participants roll down the lanes in support of Friends of the Children to make a striking difference in the lives of our community’s most at-risk youth. You can expect support and encouragement from your charity team in appreciation for helping us reach our goal of helping more youth become successful.

There are two bowling sessions to pick from:
Family Friendly Session: 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Adult Friendly Session: 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

For more information or to sign up go to www.bowlingwithfriends.org or email Mary Vegas!

Inspiring Greatness:
An Evening to Benefit Friends of the Children
October 6, 2012
at the Hyatt Olive8

For information on purchasing a table, corporate sponsorships, or auction item donation, please contact Mary Vegas at mary@friendskc.org.

We look forward to seeing you there!

January, 25th 2012, 5:30-7:00 p.m.
at Via Tribunali on Queen Anne
317 West Galer Street, Seattle, WA 98119

Come and learn more about Friends of the Children and the Ambassador Board – a unique opportunity to network, be mentored on learning how to take on future Board positions, and make a real and permanent difference in our community.

Our goal is to create group of young, motivated circle of friends who care about the children in our community and will raise awareness and ultimately funds through fun events that appeal to our peers.

For more information or to RSVP, please contact Mary Vegas, Development Manager at Friends – KC, at mary@friendskc.org.

We look forward to seeing you!

http://xmsatelliteradio.edgeboss.net/download/xmsatelliteradio/talk_content/bob_edwards/2009/complete_shows/mp3/bob_edwards_110408_hour_1_kirp.mp3?rss_feedid=591

Between 2007 – 2010, approximately 280 children & their families were recruited for the NIH Child Study. Children were identified through an intensive, six week child selection process with partner public schools.

• Over 2000 children were observed during this stage. Top 25% of those with risk for future problems were identified as appropriate for Friends of the Children.

• Children randomly assigned to either Friends or control group. Parents contacted by the schools and invited to speak with research team. 94% of parents contacted agreed to participate in the study.

• Those parents completed a “baseline” interview. Data is currently available on 136 children whose parents completed baseline interviews & completed an interview one year later.

Findings

• At one year interview, average child in Friends had been meeting with their mentor for 9 months. In an average month, the average child saw their mentor for 13.4 hours. Mentor spent another hour talking with parents, teachers, or engaging in other discussions or work relevant to the child.

• At one year, based on parent ratings using standard scales on Child Behavior Checklist, the following findings were noted:

Anxiety/Depression: Friends’ children were less anxious and depressed (significant). Largest differences between the groups were for children who were most at risk at baseline (significant).

Aggression: Children in Friends were less aggressive (trend). The largest differences between the groups were for the children who were most at risk at baseline (significant).

Rule Breaking: Friends’ children were less likely to rule break (significant). This was due to a difference between girls in Friends and control groups (significant). There was no difference for boys.

Withdrawn: Children in Friends tended to be more withdrawn than children in control group (trend). This was due to difference between girls in Friends and control groups (significant). There was no difference for boys.

To learn more about the study or be included in updates on the findings as it progresses, contact us.

Over and over again, we receive calls from family members who, through tears, thank us for making their holiday season special.  They tell us to pass along their gratitude, “I realize that someone really cares about what I’m going through.”

Please help us brighten a family’s life this holiday season by joining our Holiday Family Adoption Program.  If you know of others who would like to join, please copy this form for them or ask them to contact Edgar at 206-387-9762 or edgar@friendskc.org. Download the 2010 Friends Holiday Family Adoption Sign Up and sign up by December 10th.