FFI Alumni Fellowships
FFI Alumni Fellowships
Leave a Legacy
Friends Forever International has created several Fellowships to help our alumni continue to grow their impact and create change in their communities. Fellowships can take many forms, including named fellowships, which are more rigidly defined, and alumni-driven fellowships, which are more independently designed.
There are four named Fellowships, which are all expenses paid opportunities that include a trip to the US. All of our fellowship opportunities, named or otherwise, are designed to help alumni grow as leaders and give them the opportunity to direct a project within FFI's programs and mission. As Fellows, alumni are excepted to participate fully in day-to-day programs, coach youth, be an ambassador for FFI, participate in the design and development of the FFI curriculum, and more.
FFI Fellowships are open to all FFI program alumni. Our named fellowships honor the legacies of the FFI family members who went above and beyond in service to their communities. The generous donations of our supporters fully fund fellowships. You can contribute to an existing fund or learn about creating a named fellowship with FFI below.
Fund an FFI Fellow
Are you interested in supporting an FFI alumnus who has demonstrated a commitment to FFI and our values? FFI has over 1,500 alumni globally and is working with 100 new leaders annually. These young men and women bring enthusiasm and dedication to leadership and peace-building that is inspiring. These funds will provide annual scholarships* for alumni that meet not only FFI’s requirements but also that align with the donor’s passion. These alumni will be working both at FFI’s global headquarters in Durham, NH but also commit to working in the region of the world where they are from. You can also ask that the scholarship fund a specific field of interest i.e. the environment, arts, politics, youth work, etc.
If you or your family are interested in creating a gift that provides a scholarship for alumni in perpetuity, we have an easy way for you to make that happen. Please contact Executive Director, Stephen Martineau (steve@ff.international) and he will answer any questions you may have.
*Named scholarship funds require a minimum start gift of $25,000 and a full fellowship will require a total investment of $50,000. This will provide the annual returns required to cover the expenses and the principle cannot be touched.
Robert 'Bob' Raiche
Namesake
Robert (Bob) Raiche founded Friends Forever in 1986 when he brought a group of 5 Protestant and 5 Catholic boys from Northern Ireland to the United States, providing these ten youths the opportunity to build friendships with each other away from the pressures and division they faced back home.
Bob’s life was dedicated to the empowerment of young people. He worked for years with the YMCA, leading youth in the US and around the world. Bob mediated conflicts both large and small and taught young people to take responsibility for their actions and their relationships with each other.
In founding FFI, Bob demonstrated another of his trademark qualities: initiation. Bob was not afraid to put an idea into action and do what was needed to make it work.
For his lifetime of service and for his work with FFI, Bob received numerous awards and recognitions including the Salem Award for Human Rights and Social Justice, the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Diversity Award, The Paul Harris Fellowship, and a nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize. A longtime Rotarian, Bob also received two of Rotary International’s highest honors; the Service Above Self Award and the Donald MacRae Peace Award.
Years later, the impact of Bob’s life can be felt around the world. After Bob’s passing in 2014 at the age of 85, the Robert Raiche Fellowship was established to encourage those alumni who would carry on Bob’s legacy of compassion, initiative, and commitment to improving the lives of young people the world over.
Eileen Dondero Foley
Namesake
A woman of impeccable character with a warm sense of humor, who dedicated her life to the citizens of Portsmouth with great love, dignity, respect, and compassion, Eileen Dondero was born February 27, 1918, to Mary Carey Dondero, one of the nation’s first lady mayors, and Charles Dondero. Eileen attended local schools, and following her graduation from Syracuse University in 1940, she enlisted in the Women’s Army Corps. On returning home, she worked at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard as a painter’s helper and later as a Portsmouth City Clerk.
Mayor Foley’s lengthy public service record includes an unprecedented 16 years as Mayor of Portsmouth, 12 years as a member of the Portsmouth School Board, and 7 terms as an NH State Senator. Her political advice and support are sought by many, and in her retirement, she served as the Portsmouth Goodwill Ambassador. Eileen was married to the late John J. (Danny Boy) Foley Sr. for over 46 years. The couple had three children, Mary Carey, Jay, & Barry. Eileen Foley represents the best that the Seacoast has to offer. Her charm, wit, grace under fire, vision, understanding, and commitment to both local and global issues has inspired thousands in Portsmouth and across the world.
Guy Buesing
Namesake
Guy Buesing was the longest-serving Board Member in the history of Friends Forever International, 1986 thru 2015. In these 29 years, Guy represented all that makes FFI special: A life that had a global outlook both in theory and in practice. Guy would also never let on, but through his advocacy with the Knistrom Foundation, he secured nearly $300,000 in gifts for FFI. Many of these gifts came at times of “crisis” for the organization, and there is a strong chance that without his steadfast support, there would be no FFI.
In the early days of Friends Forever International, he would drive the van as a Rotarian, lead workshops on dialogue and how to do Pros and Cons, and just hang out and dance with the group. In the last decade, when not in Florida, Guy would be available for breakfasts and lunches and was a great sounding board for ideas. He ensured that the organization stayed true to its vision of citizen diplomacy and grassroots engagement, no matter how large we got, and he was thrilled to see us grow.
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Maxine Morse
Namesake
Born and raised in Manchester, NH, Maxine Morse was a force in the Granite State for more than 60 years. She dedicated her considerable energies to ensuring a higher quality of life for those less fortunate. A graduate of Cornell University, Maxine served as the Greater Manchester Child Care Center Director, New Hampshire’s first nonprofit child care center, from 1969-1974. Her work went on to include the Chairmanship of the 1975 Commission on Laws Affecting Mental Health. Funded in part by the New Hampshire Charitable Fund (now known as the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation), the project identified and developed 22 proposals for legislative action updating NH’s mental health laws, 15 of which were passed.
Maxine served on numerous boards and held leadership roles in many agencies, including Greater Manchester Mental Health Center, Odyssey House, New Horizons, the NH Social Welfare Council, the Lakes Region Mental Health Center, the Children’s Alliance of NH, the NH Music Festival, the Portsmouth Music Hall, and the Canterbury Shaker Village. Having worked with then-Senator Eileen Foley on some of the 1975 progressive mental health legislation, Maxine was honored to be recognized by FFI with the award in Eileen’s name.
Jo Lamprey
Namesake
Jo Lamprey is a retired nurse and businesswoman who has dedicated her life to helping the people around her. Born and raised in New Hampshire, Jo continues to have deep ties to the Seacoast community. She is a champion for the environment, animals, human services, and youth. She has served as a board member for the NHSPCA, Portsmouth Orchestra Symphony, The Music Hall, Families First, University of New Hampshire, and Friends Forever International.
Her philanthropic efforts are admired and appreciated by many, but most importantly, those that know Jo cherish her friendship, advice, and leadership. FFI is honored to be able to continue her legacy by giving future leaders the opportunity to help build a better world through this fellowship.
Alumni Fellow Resources
For Interested Alumni
Alumni Fellows are an integral part of our programs and we welcome all alumni to interested in applying to do so! If you are not already a part of the FFI Alumni Google Classroom, email Amelia@ff.international to request an invite. The Google Classroom acts as a hub of all information for alumni interested in engaging with FFI!
