I was a member of The Friendship Club. I can honestly say that they saved my life... they made me who I am today. When I came to them I was an little 8th grader who was shy, wanted nothing but to die, felt as though no one would ever want me, felt as though I would have zero to no future in the world... I didn't have a woman figure in my life for me to look up to. My mother had abandoned me when I was younger. My father was doing his best, but there are many things that a father cannot do. Mary Collier and Jennifer Singer took me in and showed me what successful women were like. They showed me how to eat healthy. But the thing that will never leave me is they showed me that I was worth something. They believed in me to the point that I could never deny that someone cared about what happened in my day to day life. They gave me the confidence in myself that I needed to go on and apply myself... I carried that confidence with me through high school... through college... through my masters in business.... and still today in my day to day life as a Cost Analyst for the Boeing Company. I know that if The Friendship Club hadn't found me and brought me in my life would be a nightmare compared to the life I have now. It is because of the amazing work that they do that I was able to have a chance at life. It is because of them that i am the successful adult that I am today! Thank you Friendship Club!! Thank you more than words can EVER SAY!!!
The Friendship Club is an amazing organization that truly makes difference in the lives of young women in our community. Their commitment to the girls in their program is heartwarming, awe inspiring and result based. As both a donor and a volunteer over the past five years I have watched, unsure, low reputation with self, girls blossom into contributing women in our community and beyond. The Friendship Club is all inclusive in their training from education, exposure to the arts, community service, skills training to manners, appropriate dress, presentation skills, etc. The girls who are fortunate to participate in this program are ready for life's challenges no matter what their home situation might be. As a professional woman who did not have access to this kind of opportunity as I was growing up, I am humbled and honored to play a small part in making the journey for these young girls and women a bit easier.
My daughter has had trouble in the past not knowing what to say to people when they are rude or bullying her. Since she started the friendship club she has been able to speak her mind without hurting anyones feelings.
Inspiring AWESOMENESS since 1995! Guiding girls to a bright future.This says it all! As a donor I feel that my donation is doing good, as a volunteer I see the girls and staff in action, and as a board member I feel a huge responsibility to the girls and our community.
Previous Stories
I have been involved with The Friendship Club for about 15 years, TFC is 17. I started as "just a volunteer" and am now on the board and still a volunteer. We "engage, educate and empower girls at risk" in a rural community in the foothills of the Sierras. Our girls are in grades 6 thru 12. We serve about 100 girls at a time in an all-year program of afterschool meetings that includes homework help, tutoring, fieldtrips, guest speakers, community service and one-on-one mentoring. Our program is led by two credentialed teachers. Our summer program is full of special interest clinics and special camps for each grade level. Our girls feel safe at TFC. They get to leave the chaos in their lives and come to their friendship family. They get support from the staff, mentors and the community.
I have been involved with The Friendship Club for 17 years as a volunteer and an employee. I have seen the benefits that The Friendship Club offers to these girls in action. There is nothing more touching than seeing a girl enter The Friendship Club as a 6th grader and now seeing how they have grown and blossomed into adulthood, careers, marriage, motherhood and so much more. It is truly a gift to know my role as a volunteer has in some way helped shape the lives of these beautiful girls and allowed them to be kids and to become women.