Ep #16 - GUEST: Jeannie Affelder, Board Chair for Friends of the Children, Chicago

Contact us:  [email protected], youth development, Friends of the Children, nonprofit, community support, education, Chicago, mentorship, social impact, long-term commitmentSummaryIn this episode of Mentoring Real Life, hosts Angela and Bill engage with Jeannie Affelder, board chair of Friends of the Children in Chicago. They discuss the innovative mentoring model of the organization, which focuses on long-term support for children facing significant challenges. Jeannie shares insights on measuring success, adapting to local needs, and the personal impact of mentoring. The conversation highlights the importance of passion in nonprofit work and the value of building a supportive network for board members.TakeawaysFriends of the Children focuses on long-term mentoring for at-risk youth. The program assigns paid professional mentors to children. Mentors work with children for 12.5 years, from kindergarten to high school graduation. Success is measured through both quantitative and qualitative metrics. The organization adapts its model to meet local community needs. Personal stories illustrate the transformative impact of mentoring. Board members play a crucial role in nonprofit success. Finding a cause that resonates is essential for nonprofit board members. Resources like Board Source (boardsource.org) can aid in nonprofit governance. Building a support network is vital for effective leadership.Additional resources mentioned:Exponent Philanthropy (https://exponentphilanthropy.org/)Duncan Campbell Ted Talk (Breaking the generational cycle of poverty, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tK2OPkz2LTM**)******Duncan Campell book (The Art of Being There: Creating Change, One Child at a Time, https://www.amazon.com/Art-Being-There-Creating-Change-ebook/dp/B01FJ3NAC2?ref_=ast_author_dp&th=1&psc=1)Nadine Burke Harris Ted Talk (How childhood trauma affects health across a lifetime, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95ovIJ3dsNk)Nadine Burke Harris book (The Deepest Well: Healing the Long-Term Effects of Childhood Trauma and Adversity―A Transformative Guide to Understanding Childhood Trauma and Health, https://www.amazon.com/Deepest-Well-Long-Term-Childhood-Adversity/dp/132850266X?crid=2Y1PQM9F8T60N&keywords=Nadine+Burke+Harris&qid=1669064262&sprefix=nadine+burke+harris,aps,260&sr=8-2&linkCode=sl1&tag=americanprogramb&linkId=718573e2ed37c20c1df5570994f80820&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl)