25 Years of Making a Difference with Friends of the Children-Klamath Basin
As Friends of the Children-Klamath Basin (“Friends-Klamath Basin”) steps into its 25th year, the organization continues its legacy of breaking generational cycles of poverty through long-term, professional mentorship. The Friends model is unique: Pair a child facing the most challenging circumstances with a dedicated "Friend," a full-time, paid mentor, and support them for 12+ years, from kindergarten through high school graduation, no matter what. Friends work intentionally with each youth - in their classroom, in the community, and at the Friends “Clubhouse” facilities, located in Klamath Falls and Chiloquin, providing four hours of professional mentoring support per week, year-round.
A Nationwide Movement
Friends–Klamath Basin is part of a nationwide network of 41 chapters & locations across the U.S., all sharing the same goal of empowering youth and families. As one of the oldest chapters in the network, established in 2000, Friends – Klamath Basin is celebrated as the network’s first rural site. For nearly 25 years Friends Klamath Basin has responded to community needs while leveraging unique community strengths like close ties to other agencies and community partners. With this local focus and strong base of community supporters, the organization has evolved from one location in Klamath Falls to now a second site in Chiloquin, growing from mentoring 16 youth in 2000, to 72 youth and 300+ family members in 2024.
Tangible Results: Making a Difference
A key to Friends-Klamath Basin’s success is building authentic relationships based on trust and respect. By providing individualized, one-on-one services, being culturally responsive, and partnering with local organizations, the program offers wraparound support and a sense of belonging for each child and family. This relationship-based approach is rooted in compassion, equity, and long-term commitment – ensuring that each family is provided with support that meets their unique needs and that services evolve as the family’s needs change.
A story that highlights the power of authentic and long-term relationship-building centers around Tommy* and his Friend, Jose. Tommy's Kindergarten teacher advocated for him to have a Friend - a child with so much spark but experiencing struggles at home and demonstrating extreme behavioral isolation and lacking a positive male role model. With the help of Friends-Klamath Basin and Tommy’s mentor, Jose, he made incredible strides. Jose, who mentored Tommy for 12 years (from kindergarten through high school), was by Tommy’s side offering guidance and support through every challenge – even during the tumultuous early teen years when Tommy sometimes withdrew. One of the strengths of Friends-Klamath Basin’s program is consistent, long-term support – making sure that children like Tommy, benefit from a relationship with a caring adult who stands by them no matter what. When Tommy became the first in his family to graduate high school, his mom couldn’t hold back her tears of pride. Tommy’s journey through the Friends-Klamath Basin program demonstrates his personal growth, resilience, and the power of mentorship. Through each stage of his development, through challenges and moments of withdrawal, Tommy had support to overcome challenges, combat isolation, and grow into the young man he wanted to be.
The impact of Friends-Klamath Basin extends beyond individual success stories to generational change within the community. The program's results speak for themselves:
97% of youth in the program graduate high school or earn a GED
97% of participants remain free from involvement with the juvenile justice system
94% of youth wait to parent until after their teen years
The long-term professional mentorship model also yields significant returns on investment. A study by The Harvard Business School Association of Oregon found that for every dollar invested in Friends-Klamath Basin, there is a return of $7 through reduced social services and increased tax revenue.
Locally, the return on investment goes beyond dollars and cents - it is seen in lives transformed and negative cycles disrupted. With such significant economic and social impact, Friends-Klamath Basin is investing in individual futures and in the future of the entire community.
Real Stories, Real Impact: A Two-Generation (2Gen) Approach
Friends-Klamath Basin is committed not only to fostering resilience, trust, and life skills in children but also walking alongside caregivers through their own challenges of trauma, adversity, and systemic barriers. Through its 2Gen approach the program supports both youth and their caregivers, ensuring caregivers have access to resources that stabilize and uplift the entire household.
The power of the 2Gen model is demonstrated with Maria and her son, David, who was enrolled in the program and matched with a Friend when David was six years old. While David receives one-to-one support through professional mentorship with his Friend, the program recognizes that for services to be impactful and sustainable in a child’s life, they must acknowledge the strengths and needs of the whole family and their home life. Through the 2Gen program and Friends-Klamath Basin’s Family and Community Engagement Specialist, Maria received support tailored to her own needs as a parent such as resources to help improve her financial literacy, navigate school and IEP meetings, secure stable housing, and strengthen her relationship with her children. The whole family participated in workshops that focused on emotional resilience, goal setting, and communication. These additional resources have grown Maria’s confidence, empowering her to guide her family toward shared goals and creating a foundation for success that impacts everyone.
Get Involved: Be Part of the Change.
As a non-profit organization, Friends-Klamath Basin offers programs and services to children and their families at no cost to them. Friends – Klamath Basin is funded through grants and individual donations. Community support is critical; every dollar raised sustains the program’s work, remains local, and directly benefits children, families, and the whole community. With a budget dedicated to operations, program growth, and internal capacity building, the organization continues to expand its reach, impacting more youth and families throughout the community.
For nearly 25 years, Friends-Klamath Basin has made a real difference—one child, one family, and one community at a time. Together we can help build a brighter future for Klamath Basin by empowering futures for the next 25 years and beyond!
For more information on how you can get involved and support, visit Friends of the Children - Klamath Basin at www.friendsklamath.org
Don't miss our Ugly Sweater 5K Run December 7, 2024 @9am, starting at Harbor Isles Golf Course!
*Names changed to protect youth’s privacy
Friends of the Children – Klamath Basin
Board of Directors
Debi Catron
Alycia Edgeworth-Kersey
Traci Freid
Heidi Gaither
Tracy Graham
Jessie Hecocta
Susan Kandra
Tessa Koch
Jim McCabe
Robert Mulcare
Cassi Stevens
Heather Tyler
Victor Vazquez
Hannah Watah
Emeriti Board Member
Terry Kenfield
