About Us
History & Mission
Friends Forever is a grassroots organization that promotes peace through cross-community youth work.
Our mission is accomplished through original and powerful group programs that are carried out in two phases. Through these unique trust-building processes, Friends Forever erodes the fear and mistrust that divide cultures in conflict to create enduring cross-community friendships.
Founded in 1986, by Rotarian and YMCA director, Robert Raiche, Friends Forever began as a joint Portsmouth, NH YMCA/Rotary effort to unite one small group of Catholic and Protestant teens from Northern Ireland. Since that time, Friends Forever has grown to host 60 youth from Northern Ireland annually; and it has expanded to serve the Arab and Jewish youth of Israel.
Friends Forever is now an independent 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that has built hundreds of lasting friendships across the cultural, religious, and political divides of both Northern Ireland and Israel.
The Solution: Community Transformation
Over 1,000 youth leaders from Ireland and Israeli have graduated from the Friends Forever program. The program enables selected teens to break the cycle of violence and lead their communities in peaceful coexistence. Want to see what some of our graduates have to say? Please watch this video showcasing some of the earliest Irish Friends Forever graduates.
