BIGS & LITTLES NYC MENTORING INC

ONE-TO-ONE MENTORING PROGRAM: WE REACH NYC CHILDREN AGES 7-19, THE MAJORITY OF WHOM ARE FROM SINGLE PARENT IMMIGRANT FAMILIES LIVING BELOW THE POVERTY LINE. MSW TRAINED PROGRAM MANAGERS CONDUCT IN-DEPTH PSYCHOSOCIAL INTERVIEWS WITH FAMILIES, MATCH YOUTH WITH SCREENED AND TRAINED SAME-GENDER VOLUNTEERS, AND PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL SUPERVISION TO EACH RELATIONSHIP, WHICH MEETS FOR 3-4 HOURS, TWICE A MONTH, ENGAGING IN RECREATIONAL, CULTURAL, ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES IN THE COMMUNITY. IN 2023, WE SERVED 720 YOUTH AND FAMILY MEMBERS INCLUDING NEARLY 200 IN ONE TO ONE MENTORING RELATIONSHIPS WITH A VOLUNTEER MENTOR. PROGRAM TEAM CONTINUED TO PROVIDE FAMILY EMERGENCY SUPPORT AND SUSTAIN MATCHES. PROGRAM MANAGERS CONDUCTED ONGOING NEEDS ASSESSMENTS FOR OUR FAMILIES AND PURCHASED ESSENTIALS FOR FAMILIES THAT NEEDED ASSISTANCE. THE PROGRAM TEAM CONDUCTS THE FOLLOWING IN-PERSON (VIRTUAL WHEN NEEDED) MEETINGS AND EVENTS: FAMILY AND VOLUNTEER INTAKE (INTERVIEW SESSIONS), MATCH MEETINGS, MENTOR TRAININGS AND LIFE-SKILLS PROGRAMING THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. ADDITIONALLY, THE WORLD OF WORK PROGRAM (W.O.W) IS A COLLEGE & CAREER READINESS SITE-BASED INITIATIVE WITH LOCAL HIGH SCHOOLS AND LOCAL COMPANIES.

COLLEGE BOUND & HOLISTIC LIFE SKILLS SUPPORT: WE HELP YOUTH COMMIT TO LEARNING POSITIVE VALUES, SOCIAL COMPETENCIES, AND A POSITIVE IDENTITY, RECOGNIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF DOING WELL IN SCHOOL TO ACHIEVE ON-TIME GRADE PROMOTION, GRADUATE FROM HIGH SCHOOL, AND PURSUE A COLLEGE DEGREE (OR VOCATIONAL TRAINING) TO SUPPORT A CAREER. LIFE SKILLS GROUPS INCLUDE ACADEMIC WORKSHOPS & CAREER NETWORKING/EXPLORATION EVENTS, HEALTH & WELLNESS ACTIVITIES, AND SOCIAL EMOTIONAL WORKSHOPS, I.E. YOUTH EMPOWERMENT, HEALTHY DECISION-MAKING AND PROMOTED TO THE NEXT GRADE, WHILE 99% OF YOUTH SERVED AVOIDED DERAILING BEHAVIORS, 100% GRADUATED HIGH SCHOOL WITHIN 5 YEARS AND 89% ENTERED A COLLEGE/TRAINING PROGRAM.