OUR WORK
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
Our Friends Leadership Institute (FLI) trains and empowers residents to serve as leaders in their communities. Neighborhood leaders participate in monthly training sessions with special focus on issues relevant in Calwa, and surrounding portions of the City of Fresno and Fresno County. We bring together residents with different perpectives and from different backgrounds with one common goal: to improve their neighborhood!
HEALTHY YOUTH OPPORTUNITIES
Friends provides healthy youth opportunities via our Nature & Nurture Program which encourages positive youth development by providing emotional support, activities in an outdoor setting, and creating opportunities for young people to serve their communities. The program is a vehicle for adolescents to develop leadership skills, gain self-esteem, learn the value of community, and exercise self-empowerment.
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH & JUSTICE
Friends works to protect the health and environment of local communities from harmful industrial development and toxic pollution. We believe that all people, regardless of race, color, national origin or income, should be treated fairly and enjoy the same degree of protection from environmental and health hazards. We partner with community-based grassroots groups and other non-profit organizations to ensure that everyone has a fair chance of living the healthiest life possible.
COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Friends works to create vibrant, economically diverse neighborhoods. Our work is guided by the belief that communities will be stronger when coordinated neighborhood redevelopment efforts are supported by strong organizational and institutional relationships which will result in better use of resources, more effective programs, and improved quality of life.