20 YEARS / 20 PROFILES Super heroes... Our <strong>Friends</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Children</strong> staff have no capes <strong>or</strong> spandex – just a commitment <strong>to</strong> making a difference and a passion f<strong>or</strong> w<strong>or</strong>king with youth. The 20 pictured here each has at least a decade <strong>of</strong> service and exemplify <strong>the</strong> long-term commitment that FOTC makes <strong>to</strong> each one <strong>of</strong> its youth. MENTOR POWER! FRIENDS OF THE CHILDREN
FOTC STAFF, 10 YEARS <strong>of</strong> Service FRIENDS OF THE CHILDREN – PORTLAND <strong>Friends</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Children</strong> staff are <strong>the</strong> heart <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>or</strong>ganization, and share a deep commitment <strong>to</strong> transf<strong>or</strong>ming <strong>the</strong> lives <strong>of</strong> <strong>our</strong> community’s most vulnerable children. “Life is a j<strong>our</strong>ney, and changes do not happen overnight. Changes take time, patience and a committed relationship, and that’s what we <strong>of</strong>fer <strong>to</strong> <strong>our</strong> youth.” Joy Fauth, Program Co<strong>or</strong>dinat<strong>or</strong> “I feel called <strong>to</strong> do this kind <strong>of</strong> w<strong>or</strong>k because <strong>the</strong>re are always people in <strong>our</strong> lives telling us what we CAN’T do. It’s so powerful when a child has a trusted adult who is cheering <strong>the</strong>m on, in <strong>the</strong>ir c<strong>or</strong>ner, and telling <strong>the</strong>m what <strong>the</strong>y CAN do...” Angel Banta, Friend “I felt called <strong>to</strong> w<strong>or</strong>k at <strong>Friends</strong> because <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> social change/social justice nature <strong>of</strong> <strong>our</strong> mission. <strong>Friends</strong> is a radical place where we are able <strong>to</strong> live out <strong>our</strong> values in carrying out <strong>the</strong> mission. <strong>Friends</strong> is about love, and that is <strong>our</strong> true power.” Jack Vollert, Team Leader “I felt called <strong>to</strong> w<strong>or</strong>k at <strong>Friends</strong> due <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> preventive nature <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> w<strong>or</strong>k. Being able <strong>to</strong> w<strong>or</strong>k with kids at such a young age and stay with <strong>the</strong>m as <strong>the</strong>y grow naturally leads <strong>to</strong> better outcomes in <strong>our</strong> youth.” Rose Solowski, Team Leader “Many youth <strong>or</strong>ganizations are reactive, responding <strong>to</strong> youth who are al<strong>read</strong>y in trouble because <strong>of</strong> actions <strong>the</strong>y’ve taken. W<strong>or</strong>king at FOTC fuels me, and I continue <strong>to</strong> do well at it because it is proactive, meaning we match ment<strong>or</strong>s with youth in kindergarten bef<strong>or</strong>e maj<strong>or</strong> trauma has occurred. I’m proud <strong>to</strong> have w<strong>or</strong>ked with 29 youth in my 13 years at FOTC.” Darren Linder, Friend “God has given me a gift <strong>to</strong> relate <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> type <strong>of</strong> child we w<strong>or</strong>k with. Maybe it’s because in many ways my early childhood was just as turbulent as <strong>the</strong> youth I serve. When I pick up my boys each week... I’m picking up <strong>the</strong> lost little boy I once was <strong>to</strong>o.” Carlos Baca, Friend “It truly takes a whole village <strong>to</strong> raise a child. When a child comes in <strong>to</strong> <strong>Friends</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Children</strong> <strong>the</strong>y gain not only a ment<strong>or</strong>, but a whole village <strong>of</strong> people supp<strong>or</strong>ting <strong>the</strong>m.” Sally Marsh, Friend “I have been here 17 years simply because I just love w<strong>or</strong>king with kids, and I love being able <strong>to</strong> <strong>of</strong>fer <strong>the</strong>m enc<strong>our</strong>agement, wisdom, and direction.” Steve Wick, Friend “I am committed <strong>to</strong> FOTC because it is <strong>the</strong> only <strong>or</strong>ganization that views deep, committed, long-term relationships as an intervention- and I have seen it impact every youth we have served.” Rachael Langtry, Team Manager “The first time I visited <strong>Friends</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Children</strong>, I knew it was a very special place...<strong>the</strong> culture, <strong>the</strong> concept <strong>of</strong> helping <strong>the</strong> children who are most in need, and showing up f<strong>or</strong> <strong>the</strong>m consistently - no matter what. There are many great <strong>or</strong>ganizations, but none have a mission as compelling as <strong>Friends</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Children</strong>. It is <strong>the</strong> most inspiring w<strong>or</strong>k I have ever known.” Terri S<strong>or</strong>ensen, President “I <strong>or</strong>iginally wanted <strong>to</strong> be a teacher, but after my first few years with FOTC, I was so impressed by <strong>the</strong> level <strong>of</strong> influence I could have over individual youth, that I have stayed f<strong>or</strong> 19 years. FOTC satisfies my desire <strong>to</strong> teach, but at a closer, 1:1 level.” Chon Armsbury, Friend “I love FOTC because we get <strong>to</strong> make a lasting difference in <strong>the</strong> lives <strong>of</strong> children who need us <strong>the</strong> most. This is truly a special and wonderful gift.” Joe Bergen, Program Direct<strong>or</strong> “I always knew I wanted <strong>to</strong> w<strong>or</strong>k with youth. I wanted <strong>to</strong> make a real difference in vulnerable children’s lives, and <strong>to</strong> be a proactive presence, ra<strong>the</strong>r than reactive.” Hilary Miller, Friend “I’ve served as a Friend f<strong>or</strong> <strong>the</strong> past 13 ½ years because <strong>of</strong> my commitment <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> process <strong>of</strong> changing children’s lives f<strong>or</strong> <strong>the</strong> better by sowing seeds <strong>of</strong> love, creating moments <strong>of</strong> joy, establishing space f<strong>or</strong> peace, exercising patience, enc<strong>our</strong>aging kindness and goodness, modeling faithfulness, cultivating gentleness, and witnessing <strong>the</strong> empowering benefits <strong>of</strong> self-control.” ShaShuna Pack, Team Leader “I personally know <strong>the</strong> value <strong>of</strong> a community rallying around an individual. I know <strong>the</strong> power <strong>of</strong> a bright light <strong>of</strong> hope when it shines in a context where it did not exist bef<strong>or</strong>e. <strong>Friends</strong> gives me <strong>the</strong> opp<strong>or</strong>tunity <strong>to</strong> be that bright light, <strong>to</strong> continue shining lights <strong>of</strong> hope in <strong>the</strong> lives <strong>of</strong> vulnerable children and in <strong>our</strong> community. My w<strong>or</strong>k here has made me a better version <strong>of</strong> myself.” Asia Wisecarver, Team Leader “When I first heard about FOTC, I could not believe a program existed that served youth so long-term and so comprehensively. I know <strong>the</strong> w<strong>or</strong>k we do makes an impact. Nothing is m<strong>or</strong>e amazing than having a job where you can grow and change alongside youth.” Julie O’Donnell, Group Programs Manager “I was one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> youth we serve growing up and I understand <strong>the</strong> imp<strong>or</strong>tance <strong>of</strong> a ment<strong>or</strong>. “ Hershell Tidwell, Friend “When you are a doing this job right you f<strong>or</strong>m powerful bonds with y<strong>our</strong> youth and <strong>the</strong>ir families. Recently a 7th-grader I have had since 1st grade <strong>to</strong>ld me his family’s planning <strong>to</strong> move <strong>to</strong> Fl<strong>or</strong>ida. He said not <strong>to</strong> w<strong>or</strong>ry, though. He had convinced his mom <strong>to</strong> wait until be graduated high school, because he didn’t want <strong>to</strong> lose me. Bonds like that are <strong>to</strong>ugh <strong>to</strong> walk away from.” Arjon Nance, Friend “When I was in college, I decided I wanted <strong>to</strong> w<strong>or</strong>k <strong>to</strong> make <strong>the</strong> w<strong>or</strong>ld a better place. FOTC is <strong>the</strong> perfect fit f<strong>or</strong> making this dream become a reality. We focus on creating change by helping younger generations thrive.” Christen Segerstrom, Friend “W<strong>or</strong>king f<strong>or</strong> <strong>Friends</strong> is m<strong>or</strong>e than a job. It’s a calling with a great string attached <strong>to</strong> y<strong>our</strong> heart.” Renà Allen, Friend 19
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