2024 Charity

In 1993, Friends of the Children opened its doors with three friends serving 24 children. Today, Friends of the Children–Portland Friends guide, support, and mentor hundreds of youth across the Portland metropolitan area.

Impacting generational change by empowering youth who are facing the greatest obstacles through relationships with professional mentors – 12+ years, no matter what.

Our values guide us to achieve our mission. Each value applies not only to our youth, Friends and program teams, but also applies to all Friends of the Children employees, volunteers and partners. We use our values to make informed decisions; to hire, coach, manage; and most importantly, we use our values to change the way the world treats and views the youth and families we serve.

We are thrilled to announce that the Night of Excellence event in 2023 raised $67,650 for the Chelsea Hicks Foundation!

The Chelsea Hicks Foundation was founded in 2009 and inspired by Chelsea Hicks. While undergoing 22 months of treatment for childhood cancer, Chelsea loved playing dress-up with her young cousins and fellow patients – and the joy of play and reminder of childhood was therapeutic for her and everyone around her. 

Through Chelsea’s Closet, we visit Portland, Oregon‐based Doernbecher and Randall Children’s Hospitals every month, where children in all 36 counties in Oregon and beyond the Northwest are served.

Our organization has grown considerably in nine years, and we serve more than 2,300 children and their families annually. Tremendous opportunity remains to partner with CHF, as we work to build our volunteer base, sustain and grow our Chelsea’s Closet program and reach more children in more hospitals.