Belonging is not something we hope the young people enrolled at Friends of the Children feel by chance, it is something we intentionally build every single day.

Inside our Phoenix Clubhouse, relationships are at the center of everything we do. Whether youth are working on homework, sharing a meal, celebrating milestones, or simply spending time together, we strive to create an environment where every young person feels seen, valued, and connected. One of the newest ways we are strengthening that sense of community is through a creative initiative called the “About Me” project.

Each month, two professional mentors and youth create personalized displays that share pieces of who they are. From favorite foods and hobbies to important memories, future dreams, and things that make them laugh, every poster becomes a reflection of identity, personality, and relationship. The displays fill the Clubhouse with color, creativity, and conversation, offering youth, staff, and visitors the chance to learn something new about one another every time they walk through the doors.

But the project is about far more than decorating a wall.

At Friends – Phoenix, we know that meaningful relationships are built through small moments of connection. Alongside the displays, the Clubhouse introduced “connection cards,” encouraging anyone who notices a shared interest or experience to leave a note in that person’s mailbox. Sometimes it is discovering the same favorite sport or music artist. Other times, it is realizing someone shares a similar hobby, favorite meal, or life experience. Those small moments of recognition quickly become opportunities for conversation, trust, and belonging.

In just the first month of the project, connection cards have already become one of the most talked-about activities in the Clubhouse. Youth eagerly check their mailboxes, conversations spark naturally between peers and staff, and relationships continue to deepen in ways both simple and powerful.

The “About Me” project also reflects the heart of our model. For 12+ years, professional mentors walk alongside youth through every stage of childhood and adolescence, creating consistent relationships grounded in trust and belonging. Programs like this help reinforce that the Clubhouse is more than a building, it is a community where young people are encouraged to express themselves fully and safely.

Along the way, youth are also strengthening reading and writing skills in ways that feel personal, engaging, and empowering. At the end of each month, they take their projects home to spark more conversations with parents, siblings, and caregivers long after they leave the Clubhouse.

What began as a simple idea has quickly become something much bigger: a reminder that when young people feel seen, heard, and connected, confidence grows, relationships strengthen, and community thrives.