Simone Biles Visited Youth in Twin Cities

The Olympic gymnast met with foster youth and mentors to share her own childhood experiences in the foster system.

Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Gymnastics

Simone Biles Visited Youth in Twin Cities

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Olympic gymnast Simone Biles visited foster youth and mentors in the Twin Cities on October 6. Biles, a national ambassador for Friends of the Children, shared her personal experiences regarding her time in foster care as a young child.

Why it matters

Biles draws on her own childhood history in the foster care system to advocate for long-term mentorship programs. She aims to provide support and visibility for children currently navigating similar paths.

Biles entered foster care at 3 years old and began her gymnastics career at age 6, the same year she was adopted by Ron and Nellie Biles. The Friends of the Children program provides professional mentors for 12 or more years.

The players

Simone Biles

She is an Olympic gymnast and a national ambassador for the mentorship organization Friends of the Children.

Friends of the Children

This organization pairs children with professional mentors for a period of 12 or more years.

Ron and Nellie Biles

They are the parents who adopted Simone and her sister Adria when Simone was 6 years old.

Axonius

This company collaborated with Simone Biles on a promotional campaign that generated a donation for foster youth.

The details

Biles has served as a national ambassador for Friends of the Children since 2023, building on a relationship that began in 2020. Her efforts include promotional campaigns, such as a recent initiative with Axonius that resulted in a $50,000 gift to the organization.

Biles began supporting the Friends Network in 2020.
Biles became a national ambassador and secured a $50,000 gift in 2023.
Biles spoke about her foster care experience in 2025.
Biles visited foster youth in the Twin Cities on October 6.

Season Trajectory

Biles' active involvement with the Friends of the Children long-term mentorship model follows a pattern set by established youth development initiatives. Her participation bridges her status as a high-profile athlete with long-term systemic support for vulnerable populations.

The visit highlights the logistical model of 12-year mentorship commitments provided by Friends of the Children. Supporters and families in the area may engage with the organization through local chapters or similar national outreach programs.

The takeaway

Advocacy efforts for foster youth often focus on providing stable, long-term relationships to mitigate the challenges of system instability. Biles' engagement demonstrates how personal history can influence long-term philanthropic commitment.