By Kayla Bernstein
Jun 27, 2024, 7:30 PM EDT
Since 1902, Bigs & Littles NYC Mentoring has been dedicated to transforming and strengthening the lives of children and their families through one-on-one mentoring. Our youth are between the ages of 7-19 and come primarily from single-parent homes. More than half are Latino, 20% are African American, and 16% are multiracial; 63% of our youth will be the first generation to attend college.
Bigs & Littles NYC responds to the physical, mental and emotional needs of your Littles through the individual support they receive from selected and trained mentors (Bigs) and comprehensive family strengthening services from our professional team. Mentoring creates hope, increases participants’ potential, and helps them become caring, responsible adults.
The holistic approach that prioritizes family support is what sets Bigs & Littles NYC apart from other similar organizations. Many organizations only offer their services up to age 18, but Bigs & Littles recognizes the need to support college students to increase their success.
Its robust family-centered services, including emergency assistance and general support, help parents develop and achieve personal goals, resulting in stronger outcomes for their children and generations to come.
Big & Littles is proud of the results of its participants during 2023:
- 100% advanced to the next grade.
- 100% graduated from high school within 5 years.
- 89% of high school graduates entered a college or training program (the rest entered directly into the workforce).
- 99% avoided high-risk behaviors.
- 98% showed greater self-confidence.
- 99% of parents showed greater self-sufficiency.
Is your family interested in joining our free program? If your child is between 7 and 17 years old and is willing to meet with a responsible adult twice a month for at least one year, please contact us here: https://bigslittlesnyc.org/enroll or call: 212-475 -3291 ext. 210.
Please note that we currently have a waiting list for male children.
Are you interested in becoming a volunteer mentor? Bigs & Littles mentors say this experience is much more rewarding than they anticipated. At this time, Bigs & Littles needs mentors who live in or are willing to travel to other boroughs. Take a step forward and decide to be a mentor! If you can commit to meeting twice a month and communicating weekly with your Little for at least a year and you are bilingual, please register today and become a positive role model in a child’s life. To begin the process, please visit: https://bigslittlesnyc.org/volunteer or call: 212-475-3291 ext. 210.
To learn more about Bigs & Littles NYC or to make a donation, please visit www.BigsLittlesNYC.org or email KBernstein@BigsLittlesNYC.org.
Kayla Bernstein is Community Engagement Coordinator for Bigs and Littles NYC