Friends for Youth

Our Whole Health for Youth (WHY) Initiative is a group of local organizations that collaborate to improve youth mental health. We do this by providing accessible wellness programs, education, and resources to youth and those who support them. 

During this pandemic, everyone (especially marginalized families of color) are facing more stress than ever, and youth mental health issues are on the rise. It's our mission to make sure every youth in our community is being supported with resources to take care of their physical and mental health.

Our organizations have come together to provide needed support to over 600 youth and families. With your help, we plan to create a “Whole Health for Youth Care Package” for each child and teen which will include: art materials, sports and exercise equipment, healthy snacks, mindfulness games and tools, and technology (as needed). Each package will also include resource information (i.e., food, housing assistance, counseling).

These supplies will not only put smiles on many faces, but will help kids participate in distance learning and after school activities. Our goal is to raise $18,000 to pay for approximately 600 self care packages (about $30 each). Any donations above our goal will go toward our online wellness classes for families.

In order to prevent the spread of COVID-19, all of the packages will be assembled and delivered by our staff and appropriate measures will be taken to ensure everyone’s safety. In collaboration with Siena Youth Center, Star Vista, Redwood City PAL, Peninsula Conflict Resolution Center, Friends for Youth, and One Life Counseling Center, we will make sure these packages get into the hands of the youth who need them most by the end of March.

We are excited for you to join our effort to build a community of support for local youth. If you are not in a position to donate but want to help, let us know as we may be able to use your time now or for future projects and events.

Many thanks!

WHY Initiative partners:
Friends for Youth, Siena Youth Center, Star Vista,
Redwood City PAL, Peninsula Conflict Resolution Center (PCRC),
and One Life Counseling Center

Friends for Youth is partnering with Siena Youth Center to help kids in our program access Siena's amazing summer camp!

We believe that if we work together, we can provide every child with the support and experiences they need to be healthy and successful!

Many youth in our area don't have access to summer camps due to program costs and transportation barriers. Without their usual school support systems and outlets, our youth are more likely to feel isolated, anxious, and depressed over the summer.

With your help, we can connect our kids to a summer camp where they can continue to learn, have fun and feel supported. 


Whole, Healthy and Happy Summer Camp:
- A 6-week summer camp (Monday-Thursday, 8am-6pm) for ages 8-14 (entering grades 3-8)
- Academic enrichment with a focus on literacy, environmental science, and math
- Health and wellness programs including basketball, soccer, mixed martial arts, yoga, art, biking, rock climbing, badminton, hiking, and mountain biking
- Transportation to and from camp
- Healthy meals and snacks

The staff at Siena Youth Center involve youth in planning and leading all activities, actively engage parents, celebrate families' cultures, and introduce them to other local resources.

Our Needs:
- Camp enrollment costs $250. To add early childcare drop-off, the cost is $430. Most of our parents would need to do early drop-off.
- Our goal is to fund 8 scholarships, totaling $3,440.
- Remaining funds will support and train our high school students as camp leaders.



About Friends for Youth:
Friends for Youth creates quality mentoring relationships between caring adult volunteers and underserved youth, including 1:1 mentoring in the community and group mentoring in local schools. Mentors become a consistent support system, expose youth to activities, and connect them to opportunities.

About Our Partnership:
Whole Health for Youth Initiative is a multi-agency partnership that provides families with accessible wellness programs that support youth mental health. The partnership is led by Friends for Youth, Siena Youth Center, Redwood City PAL (Police Activities League), Star Vista, and Peninsula Conflict Resolution Center (PCRC). 

Thank you for supporting our youth!

I am on the Board of Directors at Friends for Youth, a non-Profit organization based in Redwood City, California. I first joined the organization in 2010 as a Senior Friend (mentor) for an amazing young girl name Cindy. Thanks to the support of the program, Cindy and I were able to establish a great foundation for a lasting and enduring relationship that continues to flourish today. Cindy is an amazing and giving young woman. I don't doubt she will one day serve and mentor others too.

Since 1979, Friends for Youth has helped more than 1,900 youth-in-need reach their full potential through its direct services. We have a 90% success rate of creating long term and deep impact relationships that is far above the national average. Studies have shown that youth in the program improve their motivation and school performance, demonstrate increased self-esteem and resiliency. We have been acknowledged as the "gold standard" in the mentoring field and have begun extending our reach nationally through our mentoring institute, where we share best practices with other non-profits to assist in their youth mentoring programs.


We have only begun in our journey. In order to continue providing our services and scaling our programs, the Board has committed to raising $30,000 in 30 Days. We can't do this without you. ---- please consider making a tax-deductible donation! Check out more Friends for Youth success stories at http://friendsforyouth.org/FriendshipStories.html


PS Dont forget to leverage employer matching programs! It doubles your impact.

I am on the Board of Directors at Friends for Youth, a non-Profit organization based in Redwood City, California. I first joined the organization in 2006 as a Senior Friend (mentor) for an amazing young man named Marvin, and have been involved in some shape or form since then. It is an amazing organization with deep roots in the Bay Area.

Since 1979, Friends for Youth has helped more than 1,900 youth-in-need reach their full potential. They have a 90% success rate of creating long term and deep impact relationships (far above the national average). Studies have shown that youth in the program are more motivated, improve their school performance, and demonstrate increased self-esteem and resiliency and we can back this with hard facts.

Friends for Youth is raising funds to help grow the scope of the organization so the Board came up with the 30K in 30 Days initiative. you can help make a difference in a child's life - please donate! Check out more Friends for Youth success stories at
http://friendsforyouth.org/FriendshipStories.html


Here is a picture of Marvin and me at a Niners game in 2012.

I’m Eunice Navarro, and I believe every young person deserves someone who sees their potential. Friends for Youth has shown me how mentorship changes lives: a teen who thought they had no options discovering college pathways, a shy child finding confidence through consistent encouragement, a family gaining a caring community. Their work empowers underserved youth through one-on-one support and lasting community relationships, and I want to help make that available to more kids.

Mentors give time, guidance, and belief. Friends for Youth trains and connects volunteers with young people who need stability and opportunity. When a young person gets a mentor, their school engagement improves, their goals become clearer, and they begin to imagine a future that once felt out of reach. That transformation ripples through families and neighborhoods, building stronger communities.

I am raising support because every child who needs a mentor deserves one. Your gift will help Friends for Youth recruit and train mentors, match them with youth, and support ongoing relationships that lead to real change. Together we can give more young people the support and hope they need to thrive.

Please join me in supporting Friends for Youth today. Your donation will help create lasting mentorships and open doors for kids who need someone in their corner.