Friends of the Children - Klamath Basin

Generational Change, One Child at a Time. Friends of the Children—Klamath Basin began as an independent chapter of Friends of the Children in 2000.

This chapter is unique in that it is located in the most rural community of all of the Friends chapters nationwide. The work of Friends of the Children is intended to target communities with a demonstrated need; the Klamath Falls community experiences high rates of domestic violence and substance abuse, yet low levels of services to children and families, due to their geographic location. The Klam

ath Falls community faces challenges in poverty that parallel other more urban areas of the state and even the country. For example, according to the most recent Census data, 13.6% of the Klamath Falls community is unemployed, far surpassing state and national numbers and showing a significant decline from 2005 (7.7%). The median family income is $53,700 (15% lower than the state median) compared to Multnomah County at $63,800 (15% higher than the state median). Even more disturbing is that 5.4 per 1,000 people filed for personal bankruptcy in 2009, a 154% increase since 2006. (US Census, 2013)

Statistics of this nature show a great need for interventions and support to families, but the circumstances for children are even more distressing. The overall child poverty level in Klamath Falls is 31.7%, compared to 20.8% in Portland and 18.7% across the state. Additionally, 65% of public school children were eligible to receive free/reduced price lunches during the school year, compared to 48% in Multnomah County. (US Census, 2013, and Children’s First for Oregon, 2011) These children must be supported through intensive efforts that are consistent, holistic, and sustained—like our program, which is provided at a level of intensity and quality that is unparalleled among social service organizations. Education is the best way for low-income children to break generational cycles of poverty and make a better life for themselves. Yet low-income and minority children often lack the family and community supports needed to succeed. They face many systemic barriers to education such as poor performing neighborhood schools, parents with low educational attainment, substance abuse and/or violence in their homes and neighborhood, and disrupted schooling due to housing and family instability. They often face these challenges without the support of consistent adult role models in their lives. Friends of the Children exists to fill that void. A long-term, intensive commitment allows Friends to see each program child through whatever challenges they face. Despite their difficult life circumstances, graduates of our program nationally have had remarkable success completing high school, as well as avoiding the juvenile justice system and teen parenting. Send a donation to:

Friends of the Children - Klamath Basin
3837 Altamont Drive
Klamath Falls, OR 97603

06/08/2026

Thanks to the generosity of our community, Friend Raiser '26 raised more than $227,000 toward our $1.8 million annual operating budget. This incredible support helps sustain long-term professional mentorship and expands our reach to serve more youth across the Basin.

If you weren't able to make it to Friend Raiser this year, be sure to watch this video to catch some highlights. Stick around to the end for a tear-jerker finish by our graduate Tempe, who is headed to the University of Oregon on a full scholarship!

A shoutout to our sponsors and all of those who contributed to our auction!

Ferguson Wellman Capital Management Graham Pediatric Clinic Cascade Health Alliance Alaska Airlines KLAD-FM Herald and News - Klamath Falls, Ore.

Friend Raiser 2026 Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

05/22/2026

Only 6 days until Friend Raiser!!!! Our ambassador team is hard at work putting together some amazing creations for the plant sale.

Get your Tickets now seats are limited...

https://fckb.ejoinme.org/MyEvents/2026FriendRaiser/TicketsandTables/tabid/1580394/Default.aspx

05/15/2026

A new story of resilience. Friend Raiser 2026 is celebrating the stories of resilience that are written each day by our youth.

https://friendsklamath.org/stories/finding-calm-finding-her-words-the-link-between-mental-health-and-learning

Attend Friend Raiser 2026 to hear more inspiring stories and support the amazing work being done.

https://fckb.ejoinme.org/MyEvents/2026FriendRaiser/tabid/1580367/Default.aspx

05/09/2026

As we approach Friend Raiser this month we would like to highlight stories of resilience that are being written daily by the youth of . Visit our website to see more.

https://friendsklamath.org/news/youth-stories

05/07/2026

Join us Thursday May 28th to hear remarkable stories of resilience written by the youth of Friends of the Children - Klamath Basin.

What is your story of resilience?

04/20/2026

Like many of the youth referred to Friends of the Children, 8-year-old Blair is not reading and writing at grade level. As a second grader, she even still struggles to form letters.

The letter Q was particularly hard.

“At a recent visit, it took us about 30 minutes to get one correct Q,” recalls Blair’s Friend Bekah. “Then a couple of weeks later we were practicing again, and she got a perfect Q. Without any help, she just wrote it. I told her mom when I dropped her off because I was so proud, and her mom said, ‘Yes! She’s been practicing just for you!’”

Friends routinely celebrate successes like this with the youth they mentor. And through 12+ years, these little wins add up to big ones – learning to read, reading for learning, keeping pace with peers, graduating from high school.

Moments like Blair’s perfect Q don’t happen by chance. They happen because someone keeps showing up—week after week, year after year, even through summers—believing in a child before they believe in themselves.

Blair’s story is still being written. Now she’s starting to believe it can be a success story.

04/13/2026

Tickets an Tables are available now! Click the link and mark your calendars

https://fckb.ejoinme.org/MyEvents/2026FriendRaiser/TicketsandTables/tabid/1580394/Default.aspx

04/02/2026

“It’s so important for kids to have good influences and adult direction because they’re the ones who will ‘be the change’ in the future.” - Eric Andrews, owner of EcoSolar Electric, whose engineer uncle inspired early interest in solar energy.

Read more here... https://friendsklamath.org/news/donor-spotlight-eric-and-alison-andrews

02/20/2026

We are currently seeking extraordinary professionals to embark on a new career journey as a Friend at our Klamath Falls location.
Learn more at https://friendsofthechildren-national.hiringthing.com/job/869461/professional-mentor-friend-multiple-openings-available

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Klamath Falls

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http://www.friendsklamath.org/

Address

1515 Old Fort Road
Klamath Falls, OR
97601

Friends of the Children - Klamath Basin

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