Friends of the Children

In 2013 researchers ranked Charlotte, NC, 50^th out of 50 among the largest U.S. cities in economic mobility. This means the zip code a child is born into is what ultimately defines their future.

For the Charlotte-Mecklenburg area at large, the U.S. Census currently reports that 44% of the 13,976 children ages 4-5 live in households earning below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level.

In Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) with the highest concentration of black students, only 29% of third graders read at or above grade level, compared with 59% at balanced campuses and 82% in schools with the highest concentration of white students.

And this is just the beginning…

The Friends of the Children model has the potential to address the needs of children in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg community because it has a proven track-record of releasing children from intergenerational poverty.

• • Stand Together Spotlights Simone Biles’ Partnership with Friends of the Children
  • WSOCTV Charlotte mentorship program dedicated to helping at-risk youth
  • Simone Biles Spotlights Friends of the Children in People Magazine
  • Simone Biles Shares Her Work with Friends of the Children with USA Today
  • $2.5 million Federal grant will allow for study on the effects of long-term professional mentoring on at-risk youth
  • Michael Jordan has selected Friends of the Children as a beneficiary of The Last Dance, an ESPN and Netflix 10-part documentary series
  • SEED20 Class of 2020 Participant
  • At-Risk Youth Get Big Break
  • Breaking the Cycle of Generational Poverty: Guest Opinion
  • Nonprofit news roundup, 11.17.17
  • Thompson In Depth
  •  Friends for life: Addressing the Opportunity Task Force Recommendations
  • This May Be the Key to Graduating At-Risk Students
  • Charlotte’s most at-risk kindergartners are getting a paid mentor – for 12 years
  • Charlotte announcement press release
  • Michael Jordan is donating proceeds from a special-edition Bulls jersey to Friends of the Children!