NEWS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NEW YORK, January 12, 2016 – Staten Islanders today joined Big Brothers Big Sisters of New York City (BBBS of NYC) for a special ribbon cutting ceremony as part of National Mentoring Month, commemorating the organization’s new office space in the borough and honoring the 2015 ‘Staten Island Big of the Year,’ Amanda Tavarez, for her extraordinary commitment to her “Little.”

For BBBS of NYC, this year’s National Mentoring Month marks the launch of its 2016 citywide mentor recruiting campaign, and the expansion of its office in Staten Island will allow the organization to more effectively recruit volunteer mentors in the borough.

Following the ribbon cutting, BBBS of NYC and community organizations honored Big Sister Amanda Tavarez for having a profound impact on her Little Sister, 12-year-old Samantha. Both residents of Staten Island, Amanda and Samantha have established a strong, trusting relationship and an incredible bond since they were matched in 2012. By providing support, structure and guidance, Amanda has been able to help Samantha overcome challenges as she enters her teenage years.

“Amanda is the embodiment of the values that Staten Islanders exemplify, and her relationship with her Little Sister is truly inspiring,” said Hector Batista, chief executive officer of BBBS of NYC. “With the incredible support of the Staten Island community, the opening of our new office space will allow our organization to more effectively recruit caring adult mentors just like Amanda for hundreds of young people across Staten Island.”

Throughout the month, BBBS of NYC will bring together public officials, community organizations, schools and current Big Brothers and Sisters for a series of ceremonies in Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx, celebrating the organization’s continued expansion in the boroughs. During each ceremony, BBBS of NYC will honor ‘Borough Bigs of the Year,’ recognizing mentors for their unwavering dedication to their Littles.

National Mentoring Month will culminate with the highly anticipated Tournament of Champions Pong on Thursday, January 14th at Grand Central Terminal’s Vanderbilt Hall. Now in its eighth year, the annual table tennis tournament will help raise funds to benefit BBBS of NYC’s youth mentoring programs.

By the end of 2016, BBBS of NYC hopes to have paired hundreds more children that are currently awaiting a match with caring adult role models, or “Bigs.” The nation’s first and New York’s largest youth mentoring organization, Big Brothers Big Sisters of NYC currently serves more than 5,000 young people each year through a variety of specialized mentoring programs.

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 and National Mentoring Month, please visit http://www.bigsnyc.org/.

Businesses interested in joining the more than 45 corporations that already have Workplace Mentoring Programs can also email wmc@bigsnyc.org.

About Big Brothers Big Sisters of New York City

Big Brothers Big Sisters of NYC (BBBS of NYC), the nation’s first and NYC’s largest youth mentoring organization, has served the changing needs of New York City’s most at-risk youth since 1904. The volunteer- and donor-based organization offers a variety of specialized mentoring programs to help children facing more complex challenges – including immigrant youth, teen mothers and children of incarcerated parents – as well as the Workplace Mentoring Center, which helps businesses throughout New York City positively impact the lives of young people and build a foundation for professional success. Additionally, since 1992 BBBS of NYC has worked through its Center for Training and Professional Development to equip non-profit professionals throughout New York City to develop and enhance their own mentoring and youth-development programs and organizations.

Through the support of individuals, foundations and corporations, this not-for-profit agency has been able to change the lives of the city’s most disadvantaged children, matching them with caring adult role models – dependable friends who can help to expand their horizons, realize their potential and enrich their futures. To learn more, become a mentor and/or offer support, please visit www.bigsnyc.org.

Contact: Tom Corsillo
              The Marino Organization
              212.889.0808
              Tom@themarino.org