CFO Selections Foundation Announces Grant

Bellevue, WA -- At-risk children and youth in King County will benefit from a $20,000 grant awarded to Friends of the Children (FOTC-KC) by the CFOS Foundation. The grant will support ongoing operation of a unique mentoring program which seeks to increase positive adult influence in the lives of children through long-term relationships. Kim McKoy, Executive Director of the program, stated "We are absolutely ecstatic to have been chosen as one of the first agencies to receive support from the CFOS Foundation. This grant will be leveraged with funds from other sources to help ensure that the very vulnerable children and youth we serve continue to receive essential support and services in our program."

The group has created a compelling way to address the challenges of children who grow up under the most difficult circumstances. FOTC-KC identifies vulnerable children in kindergarten and pairs them with a consistent, long-term, professional mentor— called a Friend —who spends four hours with them every single week until they graduate from high school. Each Friend is a full time staff member who works with eight vulnerable children to give them the support they need to grow and thrive.

FOTC-KC seeks to serve the most vulnerable children in Seattle. The agency recruits its children from Seattle's underserved Central District, an area associated with poverty and gang violence. FOTC–KC currently serves 72 children, from 1st - 9th grade, of which: 97% are children of color; 85% come from low-income families; 70% do not live with both of their parents; 44% were born to a teen mother; 42% have parents that are or have been incarcerated; and 39% live or have lived in foster or kinship care. In the summer of 2009, FOTC-KC will recruit 16 new children for the program, bringing the total served to 88.

Friends engage in a wide variety of activities with program children to foster their school success, enhance their emotional and physical health, and expose them to new places and experiences. Friends set short and long-term goals with each child that celebrate their successes and support them through challenges.

More information about Friends of the Children is available on their website. To learn more about volunteering, email Shira Rosen or call her at 206-328-3535. To make an instant donation, click here.

About the CFOS Foundation
The CFOS Foundation was founded in 2007 by the partners of CFO Selections LLC: Mark Tranter, Rich Leo and Tom Varga. The vision of this group is to harness the energy and talent of professional people who care about the needs of local children in micro-communities and work to make a measurable, positive impact within these communities.

The CFOS Foundation looks to provide both funding and leadership to effect change, one child at a time. More information is available on their website.  To make an instant donation to the Foundation, click here.