Friends of the Children National Demonstration Act

FRIENDS OF THE CHILDREN NATIONAL DEMONSTRATION ACT -- (Extensions of Remarks - June 16, 2004)

SPEECH OF
HON. EARL BLUMENAUER
OF OREGON
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 16, 2004

Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, I am introducing the "Friends of the Children National Demonstration Act" that would authorize $7 million for Friends of the Children to support local program operations at existing sites and dissemination of findings to policymakers and other youth-serving programs. Friends of the Children is the only program in the nation that provides carefully screened full-time professional mentors to at-risk children for 12 years starting at five years of age. The Portland program started in 1993 with 3 "Friends" mentors serving 24 children. Today, Friends of the Children serves over 600 children in 11 communities across the nation. The children served by this innovative program are truly the most defenseless-they are children of poverty; they have been in foster care, on welfare, and have parents who are incarcerated or are homeless. Friends of the Children's first class is now graduating from the Portland program; and the graduates are outperforming their peer group of at-risk children.

Here is a real-life example of the impact this program has: Natasha joined the Friends of the Children Portland program in 1993 and has overcome a family history of drug abuse and prostitution. Natasha has developed a strong relationship with her mentor, Jennifer. When she first enrolled in the Friends program, Natasha was unmotivated and did not enjoy her school work. With Jennifer's guidance, Natasha has found the determination to become a leader and maintain a positive attitude. She follows this philosophy in other aspects of her life, refusing to bow to peer pressure and confronting her friends when they are considering risky behaviors such as smoking. Now 17, Natasha has excelled as a member of her high school softball team and has become an avid photographer. She plans to study photography in college and will begin the college application process this fall by visiting college campuses with Jennifer. Natasha is a wonderful role model for the children and has benefited in a unique way from the Friends program. Natasha lived with her great-grandmother until she passed away in 2000. She is now living with a former Friends of the Children mentor who serves as her legal guardian.

In Portland tomorrow, the first class of Friends of the Children, including Natasha, will graduate from the program. These were children who were identified 12 years ago by their elementary schools as most likely to fail. They now show great progress in leading successful lives.

I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass this bill and make a commitment to improving the lives of at-risk children.

END