April 17, 2025 Standing Together Our Partnership with Valley View Elementary Our mission is built on long-term, intentional relationships, and those relationships flourish when schools believe in our work and open their doors to partnership. One such school is Valley View Elementary, where staff have gone above and beyond to welcome our mentors and support our program youth. From the classroom to the playground, the team at Valley View consistently demonstrates a deep commitment to creating a nurturing, inclusive environment where all children can succeed. Whether it's teachers collaborating with our mentors or school staff inviting Friends to be part of school-wide events, this is a place where shared values come to life. Our mentors are a daily presence on campus. Not just observing but building real connections with students and educators alike. Mr. Villa, a teacher at Valley View and a dedicated advocate for the Friends model, shared this moving reflection on one of our Friend's impact: “Belinda walks the children home, she does homework with all the children in the back of her trunk, she has empowered a mom who is now active in all her children’s schooling. She has made such an impact and has been life changing for this family.” Mr. Villa speaks to what we know to be true: transformational change starts with showing up, consistently and with care. That’s the heart of our model—and it’s made even stronger by schools like Valley View that recognize and value this approach. In recent months, Friends CV has had the opportunity to participate in meaningful activities on campus, from helping with classroom projects to joining in Easter-themed events like educational egg hunts and arts & crafts. Seeing youth supported in both academic and social-emotional growth—and knowing that teachers like Mr. Villa are cheering them on alongside us—is exactly the kind of collaboration that allows young people to thrive. We’re incredibly grateful for the entire team at Valley View Elementary for their partnership, their advocacy, and their unwavering belief in the potential of every student. Together, we’re creating generational change one child at a time.