Transforming Lives

Founder of the nationwide Big Sisters movement in 1902, Bigs & Littles NYC Mentoring Services strives to transform the lives of children through one-to-one mentoring, while strengthening entire families in hardship.

We know that children can only be as healthy as their families. Therefore, unlike other mentoring programs, Bigs & Littles NYC also provides intensive support for parents, who are predominantly single mothers, dramatically increasing the likelihood for short and long-term youth success.

Building on 120 years of expertise in one-to-one mentoring and strengthening entire families and a long history of addressing bereavement, the Caring Through COVID Mentoring Program matches young people who have lost loved ones due to the pandemic, and Asian American youth coping with rising bias attacks, hate crimes and bullying due to COVID-19, providing the additional support of a caring volunteer mentor and professional staff seasoned in relationship building, crisis counseling and comprehensive family strengthening services. Our priority is to offer a vital sense of continuity, community and comfort. It has been reported that nearly 4,200 children in New York State have lost a parent or caregiver; 57% of these children live in the Bronx, Brooklyn, or Queens, and numbers are highest among Black and Hispanic children. Anti-Asian hate crimes increased by 150% mostly in New York & Los Angeles. Losing a parent or caregiver during childhood raises a child’s risk of developing a range of poor outcomes over their lifetime, including poorer mental and physical health. 

Bigs & Littles NYC Mentoring's emergency fund ensures continued mentoring services and critical assistance to our constituents, which could include things such as child care, wages lost, bills, internet access, computers, and meals that they would normally get in school.

 

Our Impact and Growth

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Perfect Matches

Jimmy and Randy quickly bonded over their shared immigration experience and love of sports. Randy is 11 years old, an only child and comes from a single parent, Spanish-speaking household. His mother was thrilled to see him matched with someone who could be a positive male role model in his life. She recently told us that being part of Bigs & Littles NYC has profoundly impacted her son’s life in many ways: “Randy has come out of his shell and talks about both his fears and successes with his Big. He has grown to trust Jimmy and rely on him as someone that he can depend on to be there for him”.

As Jimmy reflects on his experience, he shared that he is "in awe of the little ways one can make an impact on someone's life in such fun ways. I have learned that one of the best gifts one can give is just a little bit of time and a listening ear."

Savannah is 11 and lives in kinship foster care with her aunt. Her Big Sister, Kristina, likes to make sure that the mentoring experience gives Savannah space to try new things, to be herself, to soak up a little bit of one-to-one attention that can be hard to come by. Sometimes that means indulging in girl time—a luxury when Savannah is surrounded by lots of boys both at home and at school. Sometimes that means having a dedicated audience to listen to her many ideas and opinions —Savannah, described as a “fierce young lady”, has sometimes that means finding a new way to make learning fun—Kristina and Savannah created a book club together to challenge their brains outside of school and homework. No matter what adventure they embark on during any given day together, they always follow one rule: they each have to try something new every time they hang out. No excuses.


Ways To Support Our Work

 
 
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News & Upcoming Events

 

New York Times Feature

 
National Quality Mentoring System AwardOur track record of success and best practices have received widespread recognition including the National Mentor New York Partnership’s Tier IV designation for quality mentoring, their highest award and the on…

National Quality Mentoring System Award

Our track record of success and best practices have received widespread recognition including the National Mentor New York Partnership’s Tier IV designation for quality mentoring, their highest award and the only New York State recipient.

Points of Light CertificationWith our Points of Light Service Enterprise Certification, we joined the top 11% of nonprofits nationwide recognized for exemplary volunteer management and organizational performance.

Points of Light Certification

With our Points of Light Service Enterprise Certification, we joined the top 11% of nonprofits nationwide recognized for exemplary volunteer management and organizational performance.

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