We are excited to share that Friends of the Children–Philadelphia was recently featured in two news stories by Blueprint and Chalkbeat recognizing the progress of our work over the past year.

The Blueprint story reflects on our first full year in Philadelphia and how we’ve grown into a more established, connected presence alongside our partner schools and community. It captures how our professional mentors (Friends) have become part of the fabric of those spaces, along with the welcoming “clubhouse” environment we’ve created for our youth. It also highlights the powerful feedback we've received from caregivers who have seen a meaningful shift in their children’s confidence and well-being.

Our work was also spotlighted by Chalkbeat, which offers a closer look at our model in action. The story follows professional mentors, Kevin Kelley and Justin Agard as they spend time with youth during an after-school activity, capturing the small, everyday moments that build strong relationships over time.

Together, these stories offer a glimpse into how long-term, consistent professional mentorship shows up in the lives of youth and families.

We are incredibly grateful to both Blueprint and Chalkbeat for amplifying our growing impact in Philadelphia!