FRIENDS, Inc.

The mission of FRIENDS is to provide comprehensive mental health services to children and youth (ages 5-21) in Mott Haven who are at risk of being removed from their home, from education programs in their school district, or from the community due to serious emotional or behavioral problems. FRIENDS also aims to assist children who are returning to the community from out-of-home placements, including residential treatment facilities, mental health facilities, or juvenile justice institutions. Through a collaborative approach that draws on the strengths of the child and family, FRIENDS provides a variety of options that range from immediate crisis intervention to long-range treatment plans. Although the child is the target of services, FRIENDS also recognizes that the entire family’s well-being is a contributing factor as to whether or not the child will ultimately achieve mental health stability. To this end, FRIENDS provides a broad range of educational, social, and recreational activities for all family members.