Friends of the Children Opening an Eastern Washington Location, Hires Executive Director

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 7, 2025

(SPOKANE, WASH.) – Friends of the Children, a national nonprofit that pairs children who face multiple systemic obstacles with a paid, professional mentor called a Friend for 12+ years, announced today that they have launched the 4th Friends of the Children location in Washington, in Spokane. Friends of the Children–Eastern Washington tapped community leader Jesse Zumbro to serve as the chapter’s executive director.

"I'm incredibly excited to help bring the Friends of the Children program to Spokane. Our model of long-term mentorship is proven to create real, lasting change,” said Zumbro. “I believe it will have a profound impact on the children and families in our region. By investing in our youth with consistent, caring support, we are not only addressing immediate needs but also laying the foundation for brighter futures. Working alongside our community partners and supporters to ensure that every child has the opportunity to succeed, no matter where they start, we are going to be able to break the cycle of generational poverty and amplify the potential of every child we serve."

Each child selected will be paired with a Friend whose full-time job is to spend four hours a week one-on-one with youth at school, at home and in the community. The chapter’s paid, professional mentors will support youth for 12+ years, building trusting relationships through a healing-centered lens that provides critical social, emotional, and academic support.

“Students and families in Spokane Public Schools are fortunate to have Friends of the Children join our community," said Tamika LaMere, Spokane Public Schools Director of Native Education. “The emphasis on individualizing supports to promote healing, build connection, and support school success is an investment in the future of our region and our community. We are excited to work with leadership to prioritize students who most can benefit from having a long-term, paid mentor – a Friend.”

Children and families in Spokane are resilient. However, for some, challenges like involvement in the child welfare system, parental substance use, and limited access to mental health services create barriers to opportunity. The region’s foster care rates remain much higher than elsewhere in the state, with Spokane’s out-of-home care rate 236% higher than King County’s. Housing affordability continues to put a major strain on families, with Spokane Public Schools reporting a 28% increase in homeless students in 2024 compared to 2023. In Eastern Washington, about 14% of all children — and 24% of Native children — live below the federal poverty line.

Beginning in Spokane, Friends of the Children–Eastern Washington plans to expand enrollment to include other communities within the region as the chapter grows. The chapter is initially partnering with Spokane Public Schools. The first cohort of children and caregivers will be invited to join the program this summer. Zumbro says the chapter is actively looking for additional community partners as they grow in the coming years.

With a focus on improving the well-being of Eastern Washington’s children, key state and local stakeholders and community leaders supported bringing the Friends of the Children model to the region. The chapter is supported by Ballmer Group, Comis Foundation, Echo Fund, with further support from Costco Wholesale and Nordstrom.

"I'm honored to support Friends of the Children–Eastern Washington as we work to address the unique needs and challenges facing our community in Spokane,” said Lee Schoentrup, Board Chair of Friends–Eastern Washington and executive in the global health field. “We understand that every child in our care deserves the opportunity to thrive, regardless of their background or circumstances. By providing long-term mentorship and support, we’re not only helping these children overcome obstacles but empowering them to achieve their individual potential."

Research shows that a consistent, supportive relationship with a caring adult is the single-most important factor in shaping a child’s future—and can mitigate childhood adversity and trauma. A third-party evaluation of Friends of the Children program graduates showed that:

• 92% of graduates go on to enroll in post-secondary education, serve our country or enter the workforce
• 83% of youth obtain a high school diploma or GED
• 93% remain free from juvenile justice system involvement
• 98% wait to parent until after their teen years

Over the last 10 years, Friends of the Children has grown from five to 42 locations across the United States, including three other locations in Washington (Seattle, Tacoma and Vancouver). Friends of the Children was founded in Oregon by entrepreneur Duncan Campbell over 30 years ago.

Friends–Eastern Washington is currently hiring a Program Director and two Friends, and recruiting additional board members. Zumbro and the chapter staff are working to expand partnerships in the community and actively looking for a physical location for their clubhouse to serve youth. To learn more about these opportunities, email Jesse Zumbro. Photos and video available here for reporting purposes only.

###

About Friends of the Children

Friends of the Children is a national nonprofit dedicated to breaking the cycle of generational poverty by empowering youth who face the greatest obstacles. Through long-term, paid, professional mentoring—12+ years, no matter what—we create lasting impact for children and families. Operating in 42 locations across the country, our innovative model has earned national recognition and been featured The New York Times, Associated Press, People.com, CNN, USA Today and The L.A. Times. Visit friendsofthechildren.org to learn more, and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

CONTACT:

Ariane Le Chevallier (Email)

971-201-1214