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Our Story

A friendship can change a life.

Since 1986, FFI has brought people together across differences—and helped them turn that connection into leadership in their communities.

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OUR MISSION

Friends Forever International helps youth become the best versions of themselves so they can help their community become the best version of itself.

Every young person has something to contribute.

We help them discover what that is—and develop the skills, confidence and relationships to act on it. Listening, speaking, working through disagreement and taking responsibility become things to practice, with support and honest feedback.

Our vision is that every individual is supported to change their lives, their communities, and the world. Our goal is to make leadership development possible regardless of ethnicity, religion or financial circumstances.

FFI’s first delegation in 1986
The first Friends Forever delegation, 1986.

1986 · A BEGINNING IN NEW HAMPSHIRE

How FFI began

In 1986, a group of Catholic and Protestant young men from Northern Ireland traveled to New Hampshire. Bringing young people together across divisions was the starting point for Friends Forever International.

Founder Robert “Bob” Raiche believed in the difference one person could make. A longtime YMCA leader and Rotarian, he helped create an organization rooted in a simple human act: welcoming someone, sharing an experience, and getting to know them.

What began with volunteers and a visiting delegation grew into a wider commitment to empathetic leadership and community action.

Explore the Rotary connection

ROBERT “BOB” RAICHE · 1928–2014

Bob Raiche

Founder Bob Raiche welcoming participants at the airport
Bob welcoming an arriving team.

For Bob, welcoming participants was personal. He continued to meet arriving teams at the airport just months before his death in 2014. Across a lifetime of service—from leading YMCAs to running a toy store in retirement—he kept making room for people.

His work received recognition including the Salem Award for Human Rights and Social Justice and Rotary’s Service Above Self Award. Friends and family established the Robert Raiche Fellowship Fund to carry his commitment forward.

Each November 4th, Bob Raiche Day invites the FFI community to reconnect, volunteer and make new friends in his spirit.

Take part in Bob Raiche Day

THE IDEA THAT STILL GUIDES US

“If you want to get to know someone, take the seat next to them in the life raft.”

Bob Raiche

FORTY YEARS OF FRIENDS FOREVER

How the work has grown.

From the first delegation in 1986 to residential campuses, full scholarships and learning for high school credit. Explore the chapters of our story.

1986–2011 · The beginnings
1986

Friends Forever begins

Bob Raiche, the Seacoast YMCA and Portsmouth Rotary bring Catholic and Protestant young men from Northern Ireland to New Hampshire. Shared meals, daily responsibilities and time together form the heart of the experience.

1980s–1990s

A community makes room

Rotarians and volunteers raise travel funds, welcome teams into homes and community spaces, arrange activities and introduce young people to life in New England.

1997

An independent nonprofit

Friends Forever becomes an independent 501(c)(3), creating a foundation for the organization to develop its own programs and partnerships.

1998

Connections across another divide

Programming with the Jerusalem YMCA brings Israeli and Palestinian youth into the Friends Forever experience.

2006–2011

Leadership beyond the first visit

The program develops a stronger focus on individual growth, responsibility and community action. Alumni begin returning as facilitators, extending their involvement beyond a single experience.

2011

Time to be present

Residential programs put cell phones aside so participants can give their attention to the people and experiences around them.

2014–2020 · Places to call home
2014

A permanent home in Durham

FFI purchases its headquarters at 1 Morgan Way. After Bob Raiche’s death, Bob Raiche Day begins as an annual invitation to carry his spirit of friendship and service forward.

2015

The farmhouse becomes part of FFI

The adjoining farmhouse creates a residential home for youth programs, shared meals, retreats and training. A Rotary Global Grant also supports the Uganda Train the Trainer program.

2016

Learning and environmental responsibility

Solar panels are installed on the Durham office. FFI also presents at the Rotary World Peace Conference.

2017

Friends Forever International

The organization adopts the name Friends Forever International, reflecting the widening reach of its programs and relationships.

2018

Professional exchanges begin

FFI expands into adult and professional exchanges, bringing international delegations together with local organizations and community leaders.

2019–2020

A growing campus network

Annalong becomes FFI’s home in Northern Ireland, while Leonard Seagren’s gift at Boom Creek opens a new chapter in Belize. These places create more opportunities for residential learning and regional partnerships.

2021–2026 · Access, learning and growth
2021

Full scholarships for youth

FFI commits to full scholarships for accepted youth participants. Domestic residential programs expand, connecting young people from across the United States.

2022

New Hampshire credit and a shared table

New Hampshire approves FFI through Learn Everywhere, creating a route to high school credit through experiential learning. FFI also makes its program meals fully plant based.

2023

Global Immersion in Annalong

The first Global Immersion program in Northern Ireland brings together young people from eight countries. Credit bearing residential programs begin in New Hampshire.

2024

Learning through experience

New Hampshire courses combine academic learning with leadership, wellbeing and community engagement. The Road Trip of Resilience takes alumni learning into communities along the eastern United States.

2025

More room for the next chapter

Dos Amigos in Yemeri Grove adds a second site to FFI’s Belize work. Improvements to the Durham farmhouse include an accessible bathroom and shower.

2026

Forty years, and more ahead

FFI marks forty years of bringing people together. The 2025–2026 Learn Everywhere report records 27 students enrolled and 51 credits earned across five programs. Annalong continues to welcome international youth for Global Immersion.

An FFI group sharing bread around a table
Sharing bread around a table · 2015 program archive

ALUMNI LEADERSHIP

Alumni involvement

Alumni return as trainers, program leaders and fellows. They help new participants find their confidence, shape the curriculum and carry the work into their own communities.

They also stay connected through service, mentoring and a global alumni community.

Explore the alumni journey

PLACES THAT MAKE CONNECTION POSSIBLE

Our three campuses

Our campuses in New Hampshire, Northern Ireland and Belize give people a place to live, learn and work together. Local communities are part of that experience—through service, conversations, practical skills and shared meals.

Each setting offers a different way into the same work: understanding yourself, connecting with others and caring for the world around you.

Explore the campuses

DOCUMENTS & RESOURCES

Reports and newsletters.

Explore 13 past reports and newsletters

BE PART OF THE NEXT CHAPTER

Support future participants

A scholarship, a welcoming community or a shared skill can help a young person take their next step.

Find your way to get involved

A chapter in FFI’s story

A permanent home for the work.

In 2014, FFI purchased its headquarters at 1 Morgan Way in Durham. The adjoining farmhouse became part of FFI in 2015, giving youth programs a place for shared meals, residential learning and time together.

Continue the story