Simone Biles is the world’s most decorated gymnast, with 11 Olympic medals and 30 world championship medals.
She has received the Presidential Medal of Freedom and countless other accolades through the years.
Biles was honored once again this week, but for something that has nothing to do with gymnastics. The athlete considered by many to be her sport’s GOAT says she “couldn’t be more proud.”
Friends of the Children paid tribute to Biles as a “champion for children” at the organization’s 30th anniversary gala Thursday night at Hotel Casa del Mar in Santa Monica. A Friends of the Children national ambassador for five years, Biles was presented a custom gold and sapphire necklace with the organization’s logo in appreciation for her work in helping empower children facing foster care, poverty and other situations.
“To me, it’s an honor and privilege to work so closely with an organization that has the same passion and care for foster care and underprivileged kids,” Biles told The Times in a phone interview before the event. “The kids were super excited — I just saw them outside and that just made my heart melt.”
Born to an alcohol- and drug-addicted mother, Biles and her siblings spent years in foster care. She and her younger sister, Adria, were adopted by their maternal grandfather, Robert Biles, and his wife, Nellie, when Biles was 6. Years later, when Biles was looking to help children with backgrounds similar to hers, her agent found Friends of the Children.
It’s a national nonprofit that provides adult mentors for young people, starting in kindergarten and remaining with them through high school graduation. According to the group’s website, 30% of the children in the program have experienced out-of-home placement and nearly the same percentage of the mentors have also been through foster care.
“I’ve always been passionate about foster care because I know exactly what these kids have gone through and what they go through,” Biles said, adding that the children “just need someone who loves and believes in them. And that’s where it starts. And that’s what [the organization is] doing, providing hope for these kids.”
While Biles’ schedule does not allow her to serve as a mentor right now, she says her role is “to be a voice for the voiceless and just to advocate for these kids and for the organization, put their name out there and grow their chapters.”
