May 12, 2025 Advocating for Mentorship on Capitol Hill Dr. Betty Handy Visits Washington, D.C. Earlier this month, our Executive Director, Dr. Betty Handy, traveled to Washington, D.C., to join Friends of the Children leaders from across the country for a national convening focused on advancing long-term, relationship-based mentorship. The visit was a powerful opportunity to advocate for children and families—not only by celebrating the impact of our model, but by directly engaging with policymakers who can help expand its reach. Dr. Handy had the honor of introducing Pennsylvania Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon during the convening. Congresswoman Scanlon, who serves as chair of the Youth Mentoring Caucus, took time from her busy schedule on Capitol Hill to meet with our leaders. She has been a strong advocate for innovative, community-based mentorship programs like Friends of the Children, and we are grateful for her ongoing support. Also in attendance was Dr. Handy’s board chair, Dwayne Wharton, who is a constituent of Congresswoman Scanlon’s district and joined in the group photo with national staff and chapter leaders. In addition to the convening, Dr. Handy took the opportunity to speak with Pennsylvania Senator Dave McCormick, author of the bestselling book "Who Believed in You?: How Purposeful Mentorship Changes the World." Their brief exchange emphasized the urgent need for intentional, consistent mentorship—and how it is already transforming lives in Philadelphia and beyond. From introducing national champions of mentoring to elevating local voices, Dr. Handy’s visit to Washington reflected the heart of our mission: putting children first by building strong, lasting relationships that empower them to thrive. We’re hopeful that these conversations will help grow support for quality mentoring programs across the country.