WHY Our Work Matters
Our Mission, Vision, & Goal
Friends Forever International helps youth become the best versions of themselves so they can help their community become the best version of itself.
FFI’s vision is that every individual is supported to change their lives, their communities, and the world.
FFI's goal is that every person who desires, regardless of ethnicity, religion, and socio-economic status will have the opportunity to build their leadership skills beyond what they imagined possible before participating in the program. These leaders will transform the way that they see the world and realize that they can change the world for the better. Now.
Our History
The first delegation of FFI leaders, made up of Catholic and Protestant young men from Northern Ireland, traveled to New Hampshire in 1986. For many years, FFI was engaged primarily in the practice of intergroup contact theory. More recently, FFI has evolved its understanding of conflict transformation beyond the status quo of traditional conflict resolution programs that are focused on large scale geopolitical issues, personalities, and themes into one that emphasizes individual leadership and community-level action. We have grown from a grassroots group of volunteers to a global organization with campuses and leadership programs on three continents.
Social Action Projects
Start with Community
Social Action Projects are designed and implemented by FFI teams in their communities to address the specific needs they see.
Scroll to see some examples of impactful projects!
Our Founder
Robert 'Bob' Raiche, 1928-2014
Over the span of 60 years, Bob served communities from Hawaii to New Hampshire in various capacities, including as the executive director of several YMCAs. In his “retirement,” Bob fulfilled his lifelong ambition to be an entrepreneur by opening a toy store in Danvers, Massachusetts.
No matter what was going on in his life, Bob remained dedicated to Friends Forever International. He was always at the airport to greet the teams and did so just months before his passing. Bob received numerous awards and recognitions for his work with FFI, including the Salem Award for Human Rights and Social Justice, the Martin Luther King JR. Diversity Award, The Paul Harris Fellow, and a nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize. A longtime Rotarian himself, Bob also received two of Rotary International’s highest honors: the Service Above Self Award and the Donald MacRae Peace Award.
Bob's family continues to play a role in making his vision for FFI, and the world, a reality. His son, Robert, serves on our Board of Directors, and his grandchildren volunteer both from programs and special events. Friends and family also established the Robert Raiche Fellowship Fund to help carry on the inspiring work Bob dedicated his life to. FFI established Bob Raiche Day in 2014, an annual tradition to honor Bob and to recognize the ability of one person to make a difference.
Bob inspired many to become involved in global peace projects. He is missed by all whose lives he touched and is a testament to one person's ability to change the world.
“We are always pleased that we can provide one of the settings and experiences that helps make the FF magic of helping young people see each other as people first.”
Neal, Living Innovations
