April 16, 2025 Welcoming Families A Look Inside Our New Family Orientation Mentorship works best when it’s rooted in trust and a strong sense of community. That’s why we were so excited to host our most recent New Family Orientation—a special gathering where we welcomed new youth and their caregivers into the Friends - Houston family. During the event, new families had the chance to meet their child’s professional mentor, learn more about our long-term commitment model, and get a deeper understanding of how we work in partnership with parents and caregivers. But what made this orientation extra special was who helped lead the way: our existing families. Several of our most active families showed up not just to support the event, but to serve as ambassadors, answering questions and helping welcome new families. Their presence sent a powerful message: You belong here. To honor their leadership, we recognized these caregivers with our Most Active Family Awards, celebrating the time, energy, and heart they pour into this community. We’re grateful for every family that showed up and shared space with us. Whether you’ve been with us for years or are just starting out, you are a vital part of what makes us strong. Here’s to building relationships that last.