Posts by Susan Swift
Supporting Foster Children Through the Katie Lyons Memorial Fund
On December 13th, 2023, Joe’s Cafe in Northampton hosted a fundraiser for Friends of Children in memory of Katie Lyons, a beloved friend and employee at Joe’s, and the daughter…
Read MoreYou Belong: FOCUS Gift Card Drive Welcomes Youth and Brightens Birthdays
The FOCUS program pairs competent, consistent, and compassionate mentors with 18-to-26-year-olds who have been impacted by the foster care system. Youth in FOCUS work with long-term mentors to hone the…
Read MoreLeah Webb-Halpern: I See Them, I Love Them, None of This Is Their Fault
This edition of Fostering Change highlights the perspectives of recent and long-serving Court Appointed Special Advocates, or CASA volunteers. These trained, talented and committed individuals are critical to the success…
Read MoreJo-Anne Vanin: Advocating for Youth, Leading the Board
This edition of Fostering Change highlights the perspectives of recent and long-serving Court Appointed Special Advocates, or CASA volunteers. These trained, talented and committed individuals are critical to the success…
Read MoreDebi Belkin and Sarah Segura Step Up to Co-Lead Friends of Children
Friends of Children, Inc. (FOC) is excited to announce new leadership at the organization effective February 1. New Co-Executive Directors Debi Belkin, MSW, LICSW and Sarah Segura, MSW, LCSW are…
Read MoreFresh Leadership Times Two
From Co-Executive Directors Sarah Segura & Debi Belkin Welcome to Fostering Change. As the first Co-Executive Directors of Friends of Children, we are thrilled to be taking the lead at…
Read MoreAn Incredible Opportunity
From Interim Executive Director Sarah Tanner Change within organizations is inevitable. And yet change can be difficult, stressful, and messy–and it can create distractions that limit productivity. Having served in…
Read MoreFrom West to East, Dynamic Managers Robbie Rubet and Mukesh Baral Lead Expanded FOCUS Program Across Massachusetts
In the seven years since Friends of Children launched its award-winning FOCUS program for young adults aging out of foster care at our headquarters in Western, Massachusetts, word of the…
Read MoreNew Financial Fitness Curriculum Paves the Road to Financial Stability For Youth Aging Out of Foster Care
Since its inception seven years ago, the FOCUS program at Friends of Children has been connecting youth aged 18-26 who are transitioning out of foster care to resources, peers, and…
Read MoreQuilts from the Heart
For several years, members of the Edwards Church of Northampton Quilting Team have been making quilts for our FOCUS young adults. This year, the team added a blessing to be…
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