Bigs & Littles NYC Mentoring

Results: We are proud to share that in 2020
99% of our youth achieved on-time grade promotion
100% of high school seniors graduated
83% were accepted to college/vocational programs
100% of youth avoided derailing behaviors
87% of youth reported increased self-confidence

Target demographics: children and families

Geographic areas served: NYC

Programs: Founder of the nationwide girls mentoring 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.

Caring Through COVID Initiative: Building on 118 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.

Newcomers Initiative: Building upon New York City’s standing as the most diverse city in the nation, we formally launched our Newcomers Initiative in 2018, deepening our services for immigrant children and families who come to our doors for help. Our newcomers are often navigating a new home, a new culture, a new language, and new morays—all of which, compounded with poverty, increase their anxiety. This initiative also responds to the unique challenges of our times, which include the rise in hate crimes and bullying that is impacting so many immigrant communities. Recognizing that such experiences can be especially traumatic for children, the support that comes from connecting with a caring adult mentor cannot be underestimated. Through our thoughtful pairing and guidance of mentoring matches, Bigs & Littles NYC breaks down stereotypes and barriers by fostering relationships between adults and youth of different backgrounds, and proactively strengthens our community, celebrating both commonalities and differences and promoting intercultural harmony.

Foster Care Initiative: Bigs & Littles NYC builds trust and a safe space for our children and families, who have often experienced difficult traumas and family separation. In 2015, we launched our Foster Care Initiative helping children and families involved with the Administration for Children’s Services to either avoid placement in the foster care system or take necessary steps towards reunification. By mobilizing volunteer mentors to be a stable presence in our youth’s lives, we have strengthened New York City families of all make-ups and configurations.

World of Work Program (W.O.W.): Our site-based, one-to-one, group mentoring program pairs employees at New York City corporations with students from nearby high-needs schools, leading them through college and career readiness with a curriculum that develops 21st century skills such as communication, collaboration and critical thinking. W.O.W. programming includes three community outings per year—career related, academic related and recreational. A W.O.W. priority is to introduce youth to as many different people and roles at a partnering corporation as possible. While a cohort of employees meets with their mentees twice a month, the program includes shadow days during which students would get to interact with another employee at the business and learn more about their experience and how they contribute to the corporation. W.O.W programs culminate each year in a group project, the focus of which is tailored to match the interests and expertise of the youth and mentors. Benefits to companies include boosts in staff morale, improved public image and community good will. Bigs & Littles NYC takes care of all aspects of the program on site allowing employees to volunteer without impacting their personal schedules, and gives employees the valuable experience of giving back to the community in which they work. In 2017, Good Apple became the pioneer Corporate Partner launching our first W.O.W. Program.

Mentoring Moms Program: At Bigs & Littles NYC, we know that a child is only as healthy as his or her family. This groundbreaking program is the first of its kind, offering both a mentor to the child and to the mother simultaneously, ultimately strengthening youth and family outcomes. Matches meet independently within the community, participating in a professionally guided 1:1 relationship. Single moms are matched with their own caring mentors–who provide a listening ear, friendship, and support as moms navigate through parenthood and work together toward personal, career and relationship goal achievement.