(HOUSTON, TX) – Friends of the Children–Houston is proud to announce it has been awarded a $25,000 grant from the Texas Bar Foundation to expand critical supports for caregivers involved with the child welfare system. This funding will empower caregivers with essential educational resources designed to strengthen parenting, enhance family stability, and help keep families safely together.

The grant will support Friends Houston’s two-generation (2Gen) Family Well-Being Initiative, which provides trauma-informed caregiver coaching, parenting education, and connections to community resources. By equipping caregivers with practical skills and support, the program aims to reduce family stress, improve safety in the home, and prevent unnecessary removals into foster care.

“This investment from the Texas Bar Foundation directly strengthens families during pivotal moments,” said Tre Maxie, Executive Director of Friends of the Children–Houston. “When caregivers have the knowledge, tools, and support they need, children are safer, families are more stable, and communities are stronger. We are deeply grateful for the Foundation’s commitment to advancing justice and opportunity for vulnerable families.”

Friends of the Children is a nationally recognized prevention and early-intervention program dedicated to helping children facing the greatest obstacles build the relationships, goals, and skills needed to break the cycles of poverty, abuse, and violence. Friends Houston selects children in kindergarten and walks alongside them for 12+ years, through high school graduation—no matter what. Each child is paired with a salaried, highly trained professional mentor (a “Friend”) who spends 3-4 hours each week with them individually—at school, at home, and in the community.

This caregiver empowerment project aligns directly with Friends Houston’s mission to disrupt generational poverty through long-term, professional mentoring and family wraparound support. Educating caregivers involved with CPS is a core component of the chapter’s 2Gen approach, ensuring that both children and the adults in their lives have the stability and resources needed to thrive.

Research shows that a consistent, supportive relationship with a caring adult is the single-most important factor in shaping a child’s future. Graduates of the Friends of the Children program achieve powerful outcomes: 92% go on to enroll in post-secondary education, serve our country or enter the workforce; 83% of youth obtain a high school diploma or GED; 93% remain free from juvenile justice system involvement; and 98% wait to parent until after their teen years

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About the Texas Bar Foundation

Since its inception in 1965, the Texas Bar Foundation has awarded more than $30 million in grants to law-related programs. Supported by members of the State Bar of Texas, the Texas Bar Foundation is the nation's largest charitably-funded bar foundation.

About Friends of the Children – Houston

Friends of the Children – Houston provides paid, professional mentors to Houston’s most vulnerable youth for more than 12 years, from kindergarten through high school graduation. By partnering with children and families facing the greatest adversities—including foster care involvement, homelessness, and significant trauma—Friends Houston works to ensure every child has the opportunity to build a bright and stable future.

CONTACT:

Tre Maxie
tmaxie@friendshtx.org
713-364-5585