Family of Friends

Family of Friends matches volunteer families with 6- to 9-year-old children in need of additional caring, safe mentoring relationships. The program is funded in part through a grant from the Portland Children’s Investment Fund.

Mentoring families welcome a child into their life a few times a month for a year. The mentor child is included in the natural everyday activities of your family. Simply set another place at the table, buy an extra ticket to a movie or play a game together. It’s that simple. You just live your life! Your family becomes a mentoring family and a source of support while encouraging a child’s positive growth and development.

Why Do We Match Families With Children?
Our lives are busy. Few of us can afford the time away from our own family to spend time with another child. But, consistently including another child in our family’s activities is something that enriches a child’s life while teaching our own children compassion and service.

Who are the mentored children?
The children are referred to the program by their families or caregivers who believe the children’s lives will be enriched by additional, caring relationships.  They hear about Family of Friends from schools or other agencies that serve children. The needs and wants of the child will be matched with a mentoring family’s ability to meet them.  Extreme care is taken to make sure this is a safe, positive experience for everyone involved.

How do I learn more?
Please contact Trillium’s Family of Friends program at 503-813-7724. If you want to be a mentoring family, applications must be completed, references checked, training  completed and a home visit conducted.