Each week our professional mentors dedicate 4–6 hours to walking alongside youth year after year. That consistency adds up to 200+ hours per child every year building trust, resilience, and opportunity. The ripple effect is real. Youth become leaders, families gain stability, and communities are strengthened. 🌊 Being a Friend is not just a job it is a lifelong commitment to helping youth reach their full potential. (fb)

🌟 Mentor Monday: Donovan’s Journey with Ken 🌟 Last week we shared how Greg helped shape Malachi’s path. This week we want to highlight Ken, a Friend who has stood by Donovan since he was 5 years old. Donovan’s early life was full of challenges. He grew up without knowing his parents and lost vision in one eye as a baby. After being taken in by his grandmother, tragedy struck again when she passed away in a car accident. Donovan and his sister were then cared for by their young aunt, “Titi,” who was just starting college. Through all of this, Ken became a steady presence, providing guidance, encouragement, and support. Ken encouraged Donovan’s passion for fitness and athletics. Their trips to the gym sparked his love for weight training and wrestling. His dedication carried him to Regionals as a freshman, and now as a junior he is aiming for first place in State in the 126-pound weight class. Alongside sports, Donovan continues to excel in school, earning Honor Roll and aiming for straight A’s. Ken’s consistent presence as a Friend has helped Donovan turn hardship into resilience, confidence, and hope. Today, Donovan dreams of college and hopes to one day return as a Friend himself to inspire other kids facing challenges. 💡 This is the power of Friends who show up again and again. 📖 Read more inspiring stories in our 2024 Impact Report: 👉 https://d2raej5j80g9a3.cloudfront.net/tampaBay/Resources-Documents/FOTC-TB-Impact-Report-2024.pdf (fb)