Be a Friend

Over the life of the Friends organization, we have seen countless examples of the power of the friendships we've generated through the program. National research has shown that mentoring relationships have a clear positive impact on the life of the matched child in the following ways:

· More likely to have fewer school absences

· More likely to attend college

· Less likely to initiate drug & alcohol use

· Less likely to be physically aggressive with peers

· More likely to look forward to the future and helping others

· More likely to trust their parents and communicate more effectively with them

The friendship process relies on a careful assessment of the child’s interests, the family’s preferences and the volunteer’s experience, interests and preferences. Our experienced staff members are committed to matching similar interests, styles and activity levels. Each volunteer goes through a rigorous screening process as well as comprehensive training prior to being matched. Once the volunteer's written application
has been received, the Friends staff will complete the following:

	        ·          National Criminal History Background Check
	        ·          Child Protective Services Background Check
	        ·          In-Depth Volunteer Interview

                             ·          Three Personal Reference Checks

Each child’s family receives a home visit from our staff. During this visit, we are able to develop an understanding of the child’s personal interests, style and the family's preferences. This interaction and observation enables us to make the best match possible for each child. We view each child and each volunteer as unique; and the match process is carefully designed to ensure that safety, shared interests and mutual satisfaction are paramount.

If you're interested in being an adult Friend, please complete the Volunteer Application and mail or bring it to:

120 E. Birch Street, Suite #10
Walla Walla, WA 99362