Why It Works

» Results and Impacts

For our children and their families

We give our children the support and guidance they need to succeed in all areas of their lives.

Immediate results
  • 97% of program children are promoted to the next grade
  • On the WASL, Friends-KC children performed 15% better in math and 9% better in reading than the average for children at the schools from which Friends-KC recruits.
  • Nationally, 80% of our graduates have earned a diploma or GED (the national average is 68%)
In addition, Friends-KC children:
  • Were nominated Student of the Week in their classrooms.
  • Had better school attendance than their counterparts.
  • Saw a marked decrease in disciplinary actions.
  • Have a stronger awareness of health and nutrition.
Long-term impacts

Our children are doing better than their peers. At the Portland chapter, where many groups of children have graduated from the program, their statistics prove that Friends of the Children works.

  • 82% of their program graduates have earned a highschool diploma or GED while more than 40% of the youth have a parent that did not complete high school.
  • 92% have avoided the juvenile justice system despite at least 60% having one or more parents who have been incarcerated.
  • 98% of adolescents avoid early parenting despite at least 60% having been born to a teen parent.

Learn about the national longitudinal study of long-term mentoring we are involved in.

Watch video of our program in action.