Family of Friends has been matching mentors with children since 2004.
How does Family of Friends work?
Mentors and children are matched based on needs and wants. Once the match has been made, an amazing relationship begins. The child is included in the mentor's every day activities. This may mean setting an extra place at the dinner table or taking the child to the library, park or zoo. It may include playing a board game, sharing a treat or helping the child with homework or teaching new skills.
Family of Friends provides mentor training, ongoing support, resources and other services as needed. We ask the mentors to meet with the child a few times a month and commit to a year-long relationship (with an option to continue longer). For best results, we conduct a thorough background check of all mentors that includes fingerprinting and home visits.
Who are the mentored children?
A child is referred to the program by a parent or caregiver who believes the child's life will be enriched by additional, caring relationships. Parents hear about Family of Friends from schools or other agencies that serve children. We serve children in the Portland metro area.
Referrals:
- 32% from schools
- 12% from DHS
- 10% from counselors
- 37% from parents/guardians
- 9% from other sources
-77% of our mentee's are raised by a single parent/guardian.
-71% of our mentee's are raised by a single woman
-93% of our mentee's are receiving federal free/reduced lunches
-63% of our mentee's are girls
-37% of our mentee's are boys
What makes us different?* We provide mentors to children ages 6-9 in order to be preventative and proactive.
* Our mentor/mentee relationships are not just one-on-one. We encourage families, couples and individuals to participate in the mentoring relationship.
* Mentors meet regularly to share experiences, both joys and challenges, and provide peer support.
What is Trillium Family Services?
Trillium Family Services, a nonprofit organization, is the leading provider of mental and behavioral health treatment for Oregon’s most vulnerable children. Through our comprehensive array of services, we offer individualized care that is family centered. Trillium’s programs include residential care, community-based programs, mentoring and skills training, and innovative complementary treatments such as horticultural, canine, and equine therapies. Last year, Trillium helped build brighter futures with more than 7,000 children and families through programs in the Portland Metro area and in the Mid-Willamette Valley.
