Faithful Friends

It has been a true joy for us at Faithful Friends to get to know Matt and Tami who are mentors based in the outer east side of Portland. Check out this interview on why and how they got involved with mentoring a boy and girl who live near them. https://lnkd.in/d-eHPBsE

Our wonderful mentors regularly let us know how their mentoring journey is going. We love hearing from them as we seek to best support their match. While most share about routine events like eating out, visiting parks, playing games, baking goodies, or attending events there are also references to some of the more deep and meaningful work that goes on. (Mentor comments shared with permission.) Some of our mentors are faced with silence on a regular basis. This can be especially true of newer matches. But then a breakthrough comes, and it is pure gold: “We did a brunch run to Starbucks and actually conversed!” There is often a lot going on in the lives of our kids. Sometimes our mentors are able to step in and teach some basic life skills. “[My mentee] doesn’t have any clean laundry…I might teach her how to do laundry and see if there is a shared laundry in the apartments so maybe she can do it on her own.” [keep reading - click link below] https://lnkd.in/gupwJFQG

If you're in the Portland area, you've no doubt heard about or visited Drake's 7 Dees Landscaping. As part of our "Hard Hat Tour" corporate education efforts, Drake spent some time sharing about how he got into landscape design and running a plant nursery and shares about how young people can also get involved, whether in a part-time role during school or as a full fledged career option. We plan to take mentees to the site later this year, but for now enjoy this interview between Al Nodarse and Drake Snodgrass https://lnkd.in/gtMHnH5F

This year has been quite the ride! Ending it on such a positive vibe as we announce a merge with partner ministry Transitional Youth whom we love so much! Check out the news here and consider how you can help support this match of our own. Full press release at https://lnkd.in/dTvA3VM7

YOU CAN MENTOR recently released a podcast episode featuring the Faithful Friends child mentorship model as explained by Al Nodarse https://lnkd.in/gwR4YaY7

We are excited to be collaborating with several local non-profits to facilitate a discussion with global polyglot, artist and activist Lungi Morrison (Lungi M.) from South Africa (granddaughter to Archbishop Desmond Tutu). It will be an inspirational evening! This event will be free and open to the public and the conversation will be led by Jessica Lynn Taylor Ph.D. from the Multnomah Campus of Jessup University. Partnering with local colleagues at Friends of the Children, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America and Mt. Hood Community College

Thanks to all those who supported our bowlathon by attending, sponsoring, donating in-kind gifts, volunteering, or just generally cheering us on. We had a great time! https://lnkd.in/db528uXf

Ryan Hoppes is a Portland-based entrepreneur who loves using his business ventures (including sports photography) to support multiple local non-profits who serve youth and those struggling with homelessness/addition. He has partnered with Faithful Friends for many years as an event sponsor, as well as by creating a unique way for his sports photography clients (via PictureThisPDX) to choose a local non profit who can receive his photography service fee. We love Ryan's approach on how businesses can better partner with non-profits in more ways than just financial donations. Emily Ker interviewed Ryan earlier this year...

Our latest podcast episode is out! Kris Forzley has been an instrumental part of several youth mentoring organizations including Friends of the Children, Family of Friends and Faithful Friends. Executive Director Al Nodarse interviews Kris as she shares about those early days for each organization as well as a few stories and tips about the impact of mentoring. This episode is audio-only, but can be enjoyed via Spotify or YouTube. #childmentorship https://lnkd.in/gucaVCtB https://lnkd.in/gdFJvpWs

Hard to believe Al Nodarse has been Faithful Friends Executive Director for a year already! In this update he reflects on his first year, shares various ways to get involved with the mentoring program, and looks into the near future with some growth goals. https://lnkd.in/g7mCmDWD