Friends of the Children - Boston

October Updates

This October, we’re celebrating the many ways our Friends–Boston family continues to show up for one another with caregiver gatherings, family fun nights, and seasonal drives that help keep our youth and families warm this winter. Thank you for your continued support as we enter the final season of the year!

Frosty's Friends

Our favorite holiday tradition has returned! Frosty’s Friends helps ensure that every Achiever and their siblings receive something special this season. That’s 173 Achievers and 400+ siblings receiving more than 500 gifts thanks to your generosity.

You can choose to sponsor a:

💙 Child Frosty – $50

💙 Teen Frosty – $75

💙 Family Frosty – $125

Each Frosty is personal; you’ll be assigned a child, teen, or family, making your gift meaningful. Sign up by November 1 to spread some cheer this season!

Caregiver Back to School Social

Earlier this month, Friends–Boston hosted our annual Caregiver Back-to-School Social, creating space to strengthen partnership and communication with caregivers for the year ahead. The gathering focused on deepening relationships and ensuring caregivers feel supported, informed, and connected. It was wonderful to connect with so many caregivers, share space together, and continue building the relationships that are at the heart of our work.

Throughout the evening, we reflected on summer highlights, shared cohort goals for the coming year, and explored meaningful ways caregivers can partner with us to help Achievers reach their full potential. Boston Public Schools representatives joined to share valuable resources available to families, and caregivers participated in wellness activities designed to nurture self-care and build community connections.

These gatherings highlight one of the most important parts of our work — that when we strengthen partnerships with caregivers, we strengthen the foundation for every child’s success.

Keeping Our Community Warm

Our annual Winter Coat Drive is underway and we need your help to reach our goal of 300 new coats for Achievers and their siblings!

You can give in two easy ways:

• Amazon Registry (preferred)
• Cash Donation – $40 = one child’s coat or $80 = one young adult coat

We’re collecting donations through November 24, with sizes ranging from newborn to 4XL (greatest need: ages 12–18)

📍 Drop-offs preferred at 184 Dudley Street, Boston, MA

Questions? Contact adrielle@friendsboston.org or stacy@friendsboston.org

Our First Annual Trunk or Treat

Thank you SO MUCH to our partners who helped make our very first Trunk or Treat a success! From Rodman for Kids, New England Patriots, GreenLight Fund, Cradles to Crayons Massachusetts, CTP Boston Commonwealth Counsel, and the Boston Police Department - you lit up our Achievers' night!

An extra special thank you to Rodman for Kids, who so generously sponsored the night, and who have been such an amazing partner for almost two decades!

“Every child deserves to experience the joy and wonder of childhood in spaces where they feel safe. In times when the world can feel uncertain, moments of laughter, belonging, and community mean even more. Friends of the Children’s Trunk or Treat event is creating an opportunity for kids to simply be kids, which Rodman for Kids proudly supports.”

– Amy Rossman, Executive Director of Rodman for Kids

Looking Ahead

As the weather cools and the holiday season approaches, we’re reminded that our community’s warmth comes from you... our friends, partners, and supporters who make everything we do possible.

Thank you for continuing to walk beside us, 12+ years, no matter what.

Do you love these stories? Then help us spread the word about jobs available at Friends-Boston. You can find current openings here.