Educating and mentoring teens
FRIENDS FIRST™ is a non-profit organization established in 1993. We serve students, their parents and communities by educating and mentoring teens to make positive life choices and develop healthy relationships. We know that one of the most critical relationships is the one between a TEEN and a MENTOR.
Our unique peer mentoring model matches younger high school and middle school mentees with older high school mentors for the duration of the school year.
FRIENDS FIRST™ impacts nearly 5,500 students and adults every year through its STARS mentoring program, positive youth development classroom curriculum, school assemblies, community-based trainings and youth leadership conferences.
50,000
Service
Hours
Annually
30-40
Public
Schools
Served Annually
7
States
Implementing
Programs
23
Mentoring
Sessions
Per Year
264
Youth
Mentors
(2018-19)
WHO WE ARE
FRIENDS FIRST partners with parents, schools, community based organizations and businesses to strengthen protective factors that help teens avoid all high risk behavior, safeguard their futures, and become their best possible selves. Our peer mentoring program educates teens to make positive life choices with a future focus.
OUR STORIES
Hear stories from mentors, mentees, parents, school administrators, program alumni and thought-leaders in the field of mentoring on how for 26 years FRIENDS FIRST programs have impacted teens, families, and communities nationwide. FRIENDS FIRST staff members invest weekly in high school and middle school students through our STARS cross-age mentoring program. High School students are led and mentored by our program staff and they earn volunteer hours as they pay it forward by mentoring younger teens.
GET INVOLVED
As we celebrate our 26th year, we’re always looking for ways to partner with the community. Opportunities to work with FRIENDS FIRST include volunteering at events and in our office, joining our board of directors, or speaking at events and programs throughout the year. Get in touch if you’re interested in corporate giving, matching gifts, hosting an event and/or fundraising.