September 09, 2025
Friendly News: An Unforgettable Summer
Dear Community,
What a summer this has been! School may be back in session, but the energy and growth of summer are still with us. It has been a season of joy, resilience, and unforgettable memories, and I am grateful to share some highlights with you.
Every year, Friends of the Children-SF Bay Area (Friends-SF) honors the youth we support with an end-of-school-year graduation celebration. In this photo, a youth who started with Friends-SF at age 5 is now on her way to high school.
On June 7, we gathered for our annual graduation that honors youth who began their journey with us as kindergarteners and are now stepping into middle and high school with strength and resilience. Professional Mentors spoke directly to the youth they support, lifting up their growth, perseverance, and determination while caregivers listened with joy. Thanks to the generosity of CoStar, each graduate received a gift bag filled with tools for the road ahead. More than just supplies, these bags were reminders that the youth we serve are seen, supported, and celebrated by their community.
With donated surfing lessons from MeWater Foundation, a Friends of the Children-SF Bay Area youth rides the waves, an experience that marked some youth's first time seeing the ocean.
With MeWater Foundation, youth braved the cold ocean waves for surfing lessons, cheering one another on and proving that with perseverance, grit, and support, new challenges can be overcome. For some, it was their very first time seeing the ocean.
Exploring curiosity and imagination at the Balloon Museum.
The rest of the summer was filled with experiences that built on Friends of the Children-SF Bay Area's work of developing the skills and strengths that help youth thrive. At the Balloon Museum, curiosity and imagination led the way as youth learned that discovery and wonder are part of how we grow.
A painting workshop allowed youth to find their spark, using art to express creativity, imagination, and hope. At the Marine Mammal Center, they explored belonging and problem-solving by connecting with one another, learning about conservation, and recognizing their own role in protecting our shared world. And at Six Flags amusement park, courage and self-determination took center stage as youth pushed past fear, celebrated victories, and supported one another through both excitement and challenge.
At Six Flags, middle school and incoming high school youth showed courage and self-determination as they pushed past fear, celebrated victories, and supported one another through the excitement and challenges of the day.
Each of these moments reflected what Friends of the Children-SF Bay Area is all about, nurturing resilience, building strong relationships, and helping youth see and believe in their own unique strengths.
We are so grateful to everyone who made these experiences possible. It is because of the caring community of supporters that the youth we serve had a summer they will never forget.
With gratitude,
Susan Corlett
Executive Director
Stories That Inspire
Jessica’s Recipe for Hope
Jessica*, a bright young person with a spark for baking, has faced more than her share of hardships. She spent nearly two months in the hospital with a rare neurological disease, where her Professional Mentor Monica visited weekly to read aloud and talk through recipes. Those consistent visits reminded Jessica she had a caring adult by her side and reasons to keep dreaming. Not long after, her family was displaced when a neighbor’s fire caused flooding in their apartment. The unsafe conditions triggered Jessica’s asthma, and when housing management refused to help, her mom turned to Monica, who connected them with housing support, legal aid, and emergency funds.
Knowing how much baking could restore Jessica’s joy, Monica planned a special afternoon at the office to make sugar cookies from scratch. For a few hours, Jessica wasn’t defined by hospital visits or housing obstacles. She was simply a young person following her dreams. The pride in her smile as she shared the cookies reflected more than her love of baking. It reflected hope. With her Professional Mentor and Friends of the Children-SF Bay Area by her side, Jessica is reminded that no matter the challenge, she has caring adults, consistency, and a safe place to imagine a bright future.
*Youth's name changed for privacy.
Core Assets: Hope, Find Your Spark. Learn more about our Core Assets here.
Thank you Fenwick & West LLP for donating over 50 backpacks filled with school supplies for the youth we serve.
A huge thank you to Fenwick & West LLP for donating backpacks filled with school supplies for the young achievers we serve!
By the time you are reading this, most of the youth we support will have completed their first few weeks of school, but it’s not too late to help make sure every young person has what they need to succeed. Make a donation today to support a young person year-round.
Friends of the Children-SF Bay Area
30 Years of Verified Success
Friends of the Children–SF Bay Area is committed to breaking the cycle of generational poverty through its unique model of pairing children facing the greatest systemic barriers with full-time, salaried Professional Mentors for 12+ years, no matter what.
Early Support for Children Who Need It Most
The youth we serve have experienced multiple adverse childhood experiences by the time they reach kindergarten. We partner with community organizations and San Francisco Unified School District to help us identify children ages 4 to 6 who could most benefit from a relationship with a Professional Mentor.
Evidence-Based Model
Our model was founded on research showing that the single most important factor in overcoming childhood adversity is a long-term, nurturing relationship with a consistent and caring adult. Youth gain skills for school success, healthy habits, positive relationships, and future planning that lead to lasting change.