The Family Center-Buddy Program

The Family Center is a New York City non-profit committed to strengthening families affected by crisis, illness or loss to create a more secure present and future for their children. We work to keep New York families stronger, longer. Over the years our mentoring programs have demonstrated that a caring and consistent adult mentor can make a significant positive impact on the present and future of a child coping with parental absence or loss. We are currently looking for adult volunteers who are willing to make at least a one year commitment to be matched with a child/teen and meet at least twice a month for a total of 6 to 10 hours a month for outings, friendship and guidance. The volunteer mentor and the child/teen go on one-to-one outings in the community about every other weekend. The program generally (except for teenagers possibly) requires that the mentor/buddy picks up the child in his/her neighborhood. They go on outings to the park, a walk in the neighborhood, lunch, or a movie. The Family Center (TFC) offers free tickets to shows/events and TFC also host group events/outings for all mentors on a quarterly basis. At training, mentors are provided with a list of free and low cost activities/outings.