Did you know that January is National Mentoring Month?
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Did you know that January is National Mentoring Month? Posted on Oct 10 2008 at 12:35pm by Did you know that January is National Mentoring Month?
If you're planning on doing a mentoring story, we hope you will consider including Big Brothers Big Sisters of NYC- the agency that founded mentoring in America in 1904! BigsNYC has succeeded for more than 100 years in linking children to mentors. National Mentoring Month is an opportunity to recognize mentoring as priority in our communities and urge more adults – especially, men -- to volunteer.
They are the oldest agency committed to empowering youth through a one-to-one match with a positive adult role model. Their programs have grown, not only in size, but in scope, to encompass the many varied needs of our city’s youth. Their programs serve immigrants, disabled youth, juvenile justice “high risk” kids, teen moms and so many more!
The majority of at-risk children are from low-income single-family households where their caregivers are struggling to do the job of two. Many are growing up in the tougher neighborhoods of the city. Without an involved, reliable and caring role model, a child is more likely to take cues from negative influences. A Big Brother or Big Sister (a mentor) is a positive voice that stands out from the crowd.
Of the children released from a New York State Office of Children and Family Services Detention Center, 60-80% are re-arrested within 36 months. In stark contrast, 73% of BigsNYC youths stay out of trouble with the law. The cost of incarcerating one youth in a New York City Juvenile Detention Center is $588 a day, which comes to $214,620 per year per child.
BigsNYC knows that no child has the same needs, and not every volunteer can offer the same amount of time. For that reason, BigsNYC developed many different mentoring programs – some in schools, some in the workplace and many in the community – to address the complex challenges children of today face.
We want to encourage volunteers, especially the guys, to step up and make a difference in a kid’s life, as well as their own!
Presently, there is a shortage of male mentors, yet there are many young males waiting to be matched with a Big Brother!
As we approach the New Year; a time of hope; a year inspired by “change”, we celebrate the Big Brothers Big Sisters of NYC and the volunteer mentors that have the power to change lives!!
Click below and support a Big Brothers Big Sisters of New York City upcoming event!
Ping Pong Tournament at Grand Central Terminal [bigsnyc.org]
Happy Holidays!
Karina Vigo (212) 996-0443
For more information please visit www.BigsNYC.org
