Bronx Celebrates Impact of Mentoring with Nation’s First Mentoring Organization

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. joins Big Brothers Big Sisters of NYC for Day of Service

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. today joined Big Brothers Big Sisters of New York City (BBBS of NYC) for a Day of Service as part of a year-long campaign by the organization to highlight the impact of mentoring and raise awareness of the urgent need for volunteers.

The Borough President and BBBS of NYC visited IN-Tech Academy (M.S./High School 368), where high school and middle school student representatives led a tour of the school. Borough President Diaz and Hector Batista, chief executive officer of BBBS of NYC, spoke about the significance of community service and emphasized the positive impact young adults can have on their own communities by becoming involved.

“For years, Big Brothers Big Sisters of New York City has done an excellent job mentoring the youth of our borough and city,” said Bronx Borough President Diaz Jr. “Kids need positive role models to balance some of the negativity that they may encounter in their everyday lives via television, pop culture and social media. Big Brothers Big Sisters of New York City fulfills that much needed role in the lives of many children, and I encourage Bronxites who are looking to share a rewarding experience to get involved with this tremendous program.”

“More than a century ago, our founder called on New Yorkers to volunteer as mentors to our city’s young people, believing the best way to help them reach their full potential was to be a friend and positive role model,” said Hector Batista. “His words continue to ring true 110 years later, and today in the spirit of Ernest Coulter, we again ask adults in the Bronx and across the boroughs to step up and mentor the next generation of New Yorkers.”

The year-long campaign brings together public officials, community organizations, schools and current Big Brothers and Sisters in a series of events intended to help find volunteer mentors, or “Bigs,” for the hundreds of young people currently awaiting a match. Big Brothers Big Sisters of NYC currently serves more than 3,600 young people every year through a number of specialized mentoring programs.

In the Bronx, the need for volunteers is particularly urgent. Approximately 28% of young people in BBBS of NYC programs reside in the Bronx, compared to just 3% of volunteers.

December marked the 110th anniversary of BBBS of NYC, and the nation’s first mentoring organization continues to renew the call for mentors first made by its founder, Ernest Coulter, in 1904.

Mentoring is open to adults 21 or older who reside in the five boroughs, and it is free to volunteer. To become a volunteer mentor, donate, or learn more about Big Brothers Big Sisters of NYC, please log onto www.bigsnyc.org or call 212-686-2042.