There was plenty of star power in the room when Simone Biles recently spent an afternoon with youth and Friends at Friends of the Children–Twin Cities. But for our kids, the afternoon quickly became less about medals and more about dreams, courage, and the people who help us along the way.

Simone has been a longtime champion of Friends of the Children. She shared with our youth that her own experience growing up in foster care is part of what first connected her to the organization.

“I wish I had something like that, kind of that constant, that you guys have with your mentors.” 

Sitting together over pizza, our elementary aged youth asked Simone the questions only kids can ask: What’s your favorite food? What’s your favorite gymnastics move? How are you so famous? Was it really hard to do the flip?

And Simone answered them all, with joy and care as though it was the first time to answer these questions ever!

But she also talked about the harder parts of becoming who she is. She told them about the coaches and family members who believed in her, the importance of asking trusted adults for help, and the years of practice behind what they see on television.

When one child shared that a friend once told her she couldn't do gymnastics correctly, but her coach encouraged her to keep trying, Simone immediately responded: “You’re facing your fears. That’s so brave of you. Perseverance.”

Before the afternoon ended, Simone left our kids with a message that felt especially fitting for Friends:

“Always dream big and dream bigger after that.”

At Friends, we know big dreams rarely happen alone. They grow when children have people in their corner who see their strengths, listen to their dreams, encourage them through the hard moments, and keep showing up.

For one afternoon, our youth got one more person in their corner. And she reminded them to dream bigger.