Project Friendship has a rich history in the community that dates back to 1965. Since then it is estimated that 5,000 local children have been matched with a mentor.



In 1965, a group of Northfield women came together with the idea of matching Northfield Elementary School students with St. Olaf and Carleton College students as a friend and role model. Merrell Thornton and Diane Enebeck agreed to serve as co-directors for two years in 1970. At that time, Project Friendship recruited 10-15 mothers who each managed 10 student/college student pairs. Matches were made based on gender and similar interests.

 

In 1974, the board hired Sharon Day as the first paid director. Laurie Cowles followed and under her direction Project Friendship flourished servicing over 100 students each year over a 20 year period of time. Laurie turned over her responsibilities to Carolyn Svenson. In 1996, Kathy Lansing directed the program with help from consultant Joan Lizsola (assisting to help better serve our Hispanic community). In August of 2014, Sarah VanSickle was hired as the first Executive Director. She grew the program from 46 matches back to 130! Holly Schoenbauer took over in September of 2019.

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Thank you to our supporters, both individual and corportate along with our foundation support from The Mardag Foundation, Northfield Shares, Northfield United Way, Otto Bremer Trust, and WINGS.