With Purpose, We Thrive

As this strange winter sees so many of us continuing to cope with the various challenges imposed by COVID, I can’t help but think how important it is to keep raising our heads and moving forward. I learned this from my grandmother who, with her two brothers, endured severe poverty and significant physical limitations, including polio and multiple sclerosis–but who kept moving forward with a keen sense of reality, humor, and responsibility. They did not burrow their heads in despair for any long length of time, but thrived, helping one another, and making certain they were always helping others. They had purpose.

Friends of Children works in much the same way. Our purpose is steeped in creating sure pathways for children and young people involved in the larger child welfare system. We want to make sure they are safe, are well, and have opportunities to thrive. We want them unbound from circumstances they did not create.

Friends of Children is clear that we can only help children and families when we all fully understand their needs, individually and collectively; when we ask them what is helpful; and when we all act in their best interests.

This is the moment where we need to reflect deeply on who we are, what we value, and what our value is to all children. Maintaining the status quo is not the way to do it. I hope you can join with us to truly foster change.

With Thanks,

Jane Lyons
Executive Director