Rip Rap Friends is a social enterprise that gives children undergoing medical treatment the opportunity to connect with a caring individual who will provide enriching activities in areas of their interest – be it arts, sports, education or entertainment. Our mission is simple: To bring the comforts and joys of childhood to those going through medical treatment by providing them access to fun and educational experiences, like martial arts, yoga, dance, art, music, cooking classes and foreign language lessons. We strive to create an environment of resilience and purpose, in which our Riprap Friends can build meaningful relationships with children while creating opportunities for expression agency and fulfillment that will empower them on their journey towards recovery. With our vision in mind, we hope to make a positive impact on the lives of thousands of children affected by illness worldwide.

The name “Riprap Friends” comes from the word for a stone wall used to armor shorelines against water erosion. We will provide a metaphorical armor for pediatric cancer patients and their families against some of the often overlooked erosive characteristics of that disease: social, creative, and emotional isolation that can be a severe impediment to full recovery. We understand that a child’s wellbeing depends on a variety of important factors, and among those factors is the child’s ability to be creative, intellectually stimulated, socially engaged, to have the opportunity to make meaningful choices in his or her day-to-day life, and most importantly, to have the support of family and friends during their medical treatment. Riprap intends to facilitate all of these things in the name of bettering the overall health of childhood cancer patients.