IN THE NEWS
Holiday Party 2024
December 7th, 2024
by News12
On December 9th, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Westchester & Putnam’s Holiday Party 2024 was featured on news12. A holiday celebration for our Littles and their families, this year’s party took place at the School of the Holy Child in Rye, New York on December 7th, 2024. The party hosted over 250 people with each child given a holiday gift, and featured guests appearances by The Grinch and Buddy the elf.
CARRY A LEGACY FORWARD
September 15, 2024
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Westchester & Putnam (BBBSWP) has announced the appointment of Ann Ellsworth, LCSW, as its new CEO. Ellsworth joins BBBSWP following an 18-year tenure as executive director at the Putnam/Northern Westchester Women’s Resource Center, where she advocated for and provided vital support to adult and child victims of domestic and sexual violence. She succeeds Valerie Brown who has been CEO of BBBSWP since 2015.
Ellsworth’s broad and varied experience will make her a compelling leader for BBBSWP. At the Women’s Resource Center, she dedicated her career to empowering those affected by violence and was instrumental in shaping critical support services. A fierce advocate for victims, she served as the past chair – and is currently an at-large member – of the New York State Coalition Against Domestic Violence. Additionally, she has represented Putnam County on various boards, including the United Way 211 Advisory Board, the New York State Balance of State Continuum of Care Steering Committee and the Putnam County Child Advocacy Center Management Advisory Board.
“I am honored to have been chosen to carry forward the legacy built by Valerie Brown and her team of dedicated staff and volunteers,” said Ellsworth. I am excited to lead Big Brothers Big Sisters of Westchester & Putnam into its next chapter and explore the many possibilities that lie ahead for the organization and the youth we serve.”
Valerie Brown’s contributions during her nearly 10-year tenure as CEO have transformed BBBSWP. Her tireless leadership propelled the Chapter into a standalone 501(c)(3) organization, which today holds the coveted “Platinum Affiliate” designation from Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.
She has worked compassionately on behalf of over 2,000 local children and their families by providing them access to mentors and programs. Her development of BBBSWP’s innovative Big Futures program highlights her visionary commitment to ensuring that the support for “Littles” extends beyond high school by focusing on the importance of work experience and post-secondary counseling.
Brown’s support of community extends far beyond her work at BBBSWP. She has served on the boards of trustees for BBBS New York City, Marymount Manhattan College, the Family Equality Council and School of the Holy Child. Her legacy at BBBSWP will be measured not only by the transformational impact she has had on the growth and financial stability of the organization but by the immeasurable ways she has improved the many lives she has touched.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Westchester & Putnam is dedicated to creating and supporting one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the potential in children and change lives. Through various programs designed to meet the needs of the community, the organization aims to build brighter futures for children and empower them to achieve success. For more information about Big Brothers Big Sisters of Westchester & Putnam visit bigswestchester.org.
BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS NAMES BIG FUTURES PROGRAM DIRECTOR
August 28, 2024
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Westchester & Putnam (BBBSWP) has announced the appointment of Lisa Bertrand as its director of the Big Futures program, a pioneering initiative launched in 2018 that has achieved remarkable success in empowering high school-age mentees (Littles).
Bertrand received a Juris Doctor degree from Georgetown University Law Center, a master’s degree in educational leadership from Hofstra University and a bachelor’s degree in history from Boston College. As part of her master’s program, she launched a company called Equity Access designed to help high school and college students navigate the college admissions process and post high school employment opportunities.
Bertrand has worked in human resources for law firms and bar associations and has taught continuing education courses. The Scarsdale, New York, resident is a member of Actors’ Equity and performs in musical theatre productions in her spare time.
“My parents were high school principals who immigrated to the United States so that I could succeed academically and professionally,” said Bertrand. “Accordingly, I firmly believe that advocating for our community’s youth and guiding them on their college and career journeys are literally in my DNA. I look forward to supporting our Littles and helping them to achieve their big dreams.”
Program coordinators work closely with students to establish realistic goals, guiding them in crafting educational and career paths that align with their aspirations. Since its inception, the program has celebrated the achievement of every high school participant who has graduated and received scholarships to colleges or post-secondary vocational programs.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Westchester & Putnam is dedicated to creating and supporting one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the potential in children and change lives. Through various programs designed to meet the needs of the community, it aims to build brighter futures for children and empower them to achieve success.
For more information about the Big Futures program or to get involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Westchester & Putnam, visit bigswestchester.org.
May 20, 2024
Bowl for Kids’ Sake to Raise Money for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Westchester & Putnam
By Elise Cooper
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Westchester & Putnam (BBBSWP) will Strike Up Some Fun and Bowl for Kids’ Sake on June 4, 6 pm-8 pm at Bowlero Lanes, 47 Tarrytown Road in White Plains while raising money to enhance the lives of young people in the community through one on one mentoring.
The fundraising event is an evening filled with bowling, dinner, drinks, music and great prizes. Bowling is the ultimate fun night to bring friends, family and the community together to get a a little competitive while raising money for kids in Westchester & Putnam Counties ”Littles” who need a special someone “Bigs” to mentor, spend time, open doors and and enhance young lives by creating positivity and direction.
“Our Bowl for Kids’ Sake fundraiser is one of most popular events because everyone loves to bowl,” says Valerie Brown, CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Westchester & Putnam. “Not only is it fun night out, but it also brings everyone together in a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere and our mentors “Bigs” and mentees “Littles” and many of our supporters, donors and volunteers get a real sense of who we are and why our mission is so important. People love to put teams together and get their groove on to reach their goal. A night of bowling, music, a lot of cheering, jumping up and down and laughing and a bit of competition makes for a memorable event."
Participants of all ages are welcome and encouraged to get in the team spirit and create a dream team of 4-6 friends or colleagues and set some challenging fundraising goals. The higher the goal, the more money raised which results in a greater impact made on these children. To get started in fundraising mode teams should rally support from friends, family and coworkers as well as direct donations from team members to their teams. Every dollar raised will directly enhance the lives of youth in our communities.
To become a sponsor or donate visit: https://fundraise.givesmart.com/vf/BigBowl24
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Westchester County is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported one-to-one mentoring relationships that change their lives for the better, forever. Through the power of mentorship, we inspire and empower youth to reach their full potential, contributing to healthier families, stronger communities, and a brighter future for all. To learn more, visit bigswestchester.org.
May 3, 2024
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Westchester & Putnam CEO Valerie Brown Interviewed on K-LOVE Radio and Air1 Radio
Peter Kaye of Educational Media Foundation spoke with Valerie Brown, CEO of BBBS of Westchester and Putnam counties about the impact of our mentorship program as part of K-LOVE’s LOCAL Closer Look. The interview aired on 95.5 K-LOVE Radio and 96.7 Air1 Radio on Sunday April 28th.
In the interview, Valerie discusses the process of matching our ‘Bigs’ and ‘Littles’, the impact of our mentorships and explores both the community and site based programs offered by BBBS. She further explores our Big Futures college and career counseling program for High School seniors and our summer internship program. Valerie shares some of the success stories of our ‘Littles’ and how they’ve flourished after being part of BBBS’s mentorship program. She stresses the current need for male ‘Bigs’ for many of the children in the program who don’t have a male role models and encourages those interested in becoming mentors to visit our website, learn more and submit an application online.
Those interested can also join a live webinar hosted by our Director of Programs, Rikki Dee Childs, where she answers questions and gives further insight into what it takes to be a mentor. Rikki’s info sessions are hosted every third Thursday of the month from 7 to 7:30pm and no registration is needed.
March 5, 2024
Local Broker Also Doubles as a ‘Big Brother’
Last year, Joe Maymi reached out to BBBS and within a short time, he was introduced to his “little brother,” Jaylon, who is 10 years old. Click here to read their story!
December 1, 2023
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Westchester County to Spread Holiday Cheer at Annual Party for Children and Families
Rye, NY December 4, 2023 – Big Brothers Big Sisters of Westchester County is excited to announce its Annual Holiday Party, scheduled to take place on Saturday, December 9. This beloved event, dedicated to the children and families enrolled in our program, will be hosted generously by Rye Country Day School.
The Annual Holiday Party stands as a testament to the joy and sense of community that the holiday season brings. It provides an opportunity for children, mentors, families, and supporters of Big Brothers Big Sisters to come together for a day of festive celebrations and heartwarming activities.
"We're thrilled to continue our tradition of hosting the Annual Holiday Party, offering a memorable experience for the children and families in our program," said Valerie Brown, CEO. "We're incredibly grateful to Rye Country Day School for their generosity in providing the venue and support for this special occasion."
"Rye Country Day School is thrilled to host Big Brothers Big Sisters of Westchester for their 2023 holiday event. Our partnership with community organizations is important to us, and we are proud to provide the Big Brothers Big Sisters community a space to celebrate and honor the meaningful and enduring relationships they create." — Randall Dunn, Head of School.
The event, filled with fun activities and seasonal delights, will take place at Rye Country Day School. Guests will enjoy a hot lunch, dancing, a variety of craft tables, cookie decorating and of course, presents. We are grateful to United Way and 914 Cares for supplying hygiene items and linens for our families; Rye Daisy Troop, Starbucks stores, and Tuckahoe Eastchester Lions Club for collecting holiday presents. Volunteers, sponsors, and community members will join in spreading holiday joy and creating lasting memories for all attendees.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Westchester County extends a warm invitation to the press, local community members, and supporters to join in the festivities and witness the positive impact of mentorship during this celebratory event.
For more information about the Annual Holiday Party or to inquire about ways to support the event, please contact Rita Murray at rmurray@bbbswp.org.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Westchester County, 10 Midland Avenue, Port Chester, NY. 10573
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Big Brothers Big Sisters Seeks Putnam Volunteers
Program Getting Back to Post-Pandemic Normalcy
By Bob Dumas
Tap into Mahopac, (Registration required), July 29, 2022
PUTNAM COUNTY, N.Y, - About a year ago, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Westchester County made Putnam County part of its territory and the need for more volunteer mentors grew. Now, with pandemic restrictions lifting, the need for big brothers and sisters has increased even more.
“Putnam is kind of new for us,” said Valerie Brown, executive director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Westchester County, Inc. “They transferred to our jurisdiction about a year ago and geographically it is a little more challenging. Everything is more spread out. We have about 20 kids who are matched up so far.”
The venerable mentoring program, which provides mentors for at-risk kids, managed to stay active throughout the pandemic, but now as we creep back into normalcy, so is Big Brothers Big Sisters.
“We didn’t suspend anything during the pandemic,” Brown said. “We just moved to a virtual platform. Some of our big brothers and mentors were very clever, delivering art supplies to homes, and mailing things back and forth, and doing things like bingo and scavenger hunts. Some of these things we did outdoors. Now, we are transitioning back and expanding our program. There is a need [for more mentors].”
Brown said in Putnam there are about 1,000 kids who live below the poverty line; in Westchester, it’s 60,000.
“There is never a shortage of children, but there is a shortage of male volunteers,” she said. “We are always recruiting.”
Big Brothers Big Sisters refers to the children they mentor as “littles” and most come from single caregivers.
“But we do have some dual-parent families who have issues like incarceration, mental health,” she explained. “The child has to want [to be involved]. It is an opt-in program.”
Brown said mentors get to choose their preferences when it comes to the littles they would like to mentor. She said the demographic for mentors is a little different in Putnam — there are many retirees and empty nesters with an average age of 49. They do, however, have one mentor who is 82.
“We are all about outcomes,” Brown said. “When kids turn 15, they get transferred to a special caseload and a social worker who will create a path for them to get through high school and find a career path and support them.”
Brown said there are many cases of big brothers and big sisters staying in touch with their littles even when they are not so little anymore, including being a best man at their wedding or a godmother at the baptism of their former little’s child.
“We have people on board who were big brothers 30 years ago and still in touch with [their mentees],” Brown said.
There are no requirements for potential mentors or littles other than they both want to be in the program. Littles can enter it starting at age 7. Mentors are expected to spend four to six hours a month (about two outings) with their littles.
“It takes a while to form that bond,” Brown said. “Every match is different.”
Those interested in learning more can call 914-937-3779 or visit bigswestchester.org.
Big Brothers Big Sisters’ Bowling Fundraiser a Striking Success
The Examiner News, July 1, 2022
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Westchester held its first in-person “Bowl for Kids’ Sake” fundraiser since the start of the COVID pandemic June 7 at Bowlero bowling alley in White Plains.
The fundraiser rolled in 85 bowlers, as well as $20,000 for the non-profit organization that is committed to making positive change for children facing adversity in the counties of Westchester and Putnam, New York.
“We’re tremendously happy that we could bring back our beloved bowling event that the whole community anticipates and enjoys,” said Valerie Brown, Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Westchester County, Inc. “COVID may have sidelined us for in-person gatherings during the past two years, but it failed to stop the human spirit and underlying Big Brothers Big Sisters’ purpose.”
Brown noted that the $20,000 will be used for the non-profit organization’s Big Futures Program, which provides educational and career counseling to high school Littles during the school year and structured internship opportunities for high school sophomores through seniors during the summer.
Among the various youth, adults, families, and supporter attendees, two people in particular ruled the lanes. Big and Little Team Jeff and Trenton took the first-place position with Trenton rolling the highest score of 118.
“We’re especially grateful to our top fundraisers and sponsors — PerenniAL, Rakow Commercial Realty Group, RPW Group, Simone Development Companies and Ebonette Bates Hudson — as well as all of our donors and participants,” added Brown. “Their enthusiasm and generosity truly bowled us over and our event would not have been possible without them.”
Big Brothers Big Sisters’ Bowling Fundraiser Is A Striking Success!
AmericanTowns.com, June 22, 2022
If Westchester County residents heard hoots and hollers coming from Bowlero Lane in White Plains last Tuesday, June 7th, they were pure shouts of joy as Big Brothers Big Sisters finally gained the ability to hold its first in-person, annual “Bowl for Kids’ Sake” fundraiser since the start of the COVID pandemic. The fundraiser rolled in 85 bowlers, as well as $20,000 for the non-profit organization that is committed to making positive change for children facing adversity in the counties of Westchester and Putnam, New York.
“We’re tremendously happy that we could bring back our beloved bowling event that the whole community anticipates and enjoys,” said Valerie Brown, Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Westchester County, Inc. “COVID may have sidelined us for in-person gatherings during the past two years, but it failed to stop the human spirit and underlying Big Brothers Big Sisters' purpose.”
Brown notes that the $20,000 will be used for the non-profit organization’s Big Futures Program, which provides educational and career counseling to high school Littles during the school year and structured internship opportunities for rising seniors and college-age Littles during the summer.
Among the various youth, adults, families, and supporter attendees, two people in particular ruled the lanes. Big and Little Team Jeff and Trenton took the first-place position with Trenton rolling the highest score of 118 points without a single gutter ball in sight!
“We’re especially grateful to our top fundraisers and sponsors — PerenniAL, Rakow Commercial Realty Group, RPW Group, Simone Development Companies and Ebonette Bates Hudson — as well as all of our donors and participants,” adds Brown. “Their enthusiasm and generosity truly bowled us over and our event would not have been possible without them.”
If you, your friends, or your family missed the chance to support the Big Brothers Big Sisters cause and showcase your skills on the lanes, then don’t feel as if you missed that spare that would have won you the game. The next “Bowl for Kids’ Sake” fundraiser will take place on June 6th, 2023.
Bowl for Kids’ Sake winning team Trenton (L) and Jeff (R)
Mark B. is a lawyer in New Rochelle, a northern suburb of New York. Tysaun is a 14-year-old from nearby Mount Vernon, and is what some would describe as an “at-risk” child. In September 2021, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Westchester County matched them together, making Mark a “Big” and Tysaun a “Little.”
The charity is a youth mentoring organization that serves children who face adversity to help keep them in school and away from violence and drugs, while assisting them to achieve their full potential in life. This mission is achieved through one-to-one mentoring relationships under a “Big-Little” model that matches adult volunteers with children aged 7 to 17.
A majority of these children are from single-parent households and many are from foster care.
“What they’re really just lacking is a positive role model,” Rikki Childs, the Westchester chapter’s assistant director, told The Epoch Times.
“Some of our Littles, some of our kids, do come from tough households, tough homes. There may be gang violence in their neighborhood; there may be gang violence in their household,” she said, noting that this is the reason parents seek out the program. “They’re looking for someone to remove them from that kind of situation.”
Big Brothers Big Sisters is nothing new; it’s been around nationally since 1904, and the Westchester chapter has existed since 1958. What’s new is the recent COVID-19 pandemic that shut the country down for months. But that didn’t stop the Westchester chapter from soldiering on, making 118 new matches during that time.
The staff knows that making the best match is what leads to success. If a Big just loves fine art museums and a Little just loves professional wrestling, they’re not going to be a good match, so the staff does its best to ensure both have similar interests. However, a part of what they do is introduce each other to subjects that they may not have considered previously.
“Sometimes it doesn’t happen,” said Childs, who’s been with the organization for 17 years. “Sometimes we have three Littles and three Bigs, and they’re not compatible.”
It’s then that the staff reaches out to find matches for the unmatched.
“The program requires a commitment of meeting four to six hours a month—or what we like to say is two outings a month—for a commitment of no less than one year,” Childs said.
At that point, the pair is asked if they would like to continue.
“The majority of the matches do. Sometimes we don’t even have to ask,” she said, “because it’s just a natural yes.”
However, on occasion, a Big or a Little will be turned down before a match is even attempted.
In the Mark–Tysaun situation, Mark was looking for ways to support his black community and Tysaun was in urgent need of a positive role model. His mother witnessed his grades decline as he became involved with negative influences in the neighborhood. The match was exactly what both of them needed.
Mark knew it would take time to build a relationship based on trust with Tysaun and didn’t want to come across as a nag regarding schoolwork, so their early, bi-weekly jaunts were often going out to eat, so they could talk.
Tysaun’s mother has expressed to the program manager that Mark is the exact person her son needed in his life and is very appreciative of what he’s done so far.
Currently, Westchester has a backlog of female Bigs, awaiting to be paired with female Littles. There are about 60 Littles on the wait-list, mostly boys.
Sometimes parents contact Big Brothers Big Sisters on their own; other times they may be referred to the charity by a social worker, a doctor, or a judge. When there’s a shortage of Littles, the organization will conduct its own outreach.
The cost of whatever activities a pair engages in is the responsibility of the Big. However, the organization stresses low-cost or no-cost activities, such as picnics, homework, and arts and crafts.
From the get-go, matches are required to establish three goals. Program managers follow up to see how far they’ve gotten in achieving them.
There have been matches that have lasted for 10 years. The chapter’s retention rate is currently 84 percent, which means pairs continue past the one-year commitment 84 percent of the time.
Nationally, about 98 percent of the Littles don’t engage in substance abuse, while 2 percent do.
“We do a lot of surveys [with the Littles],” Childs said, noting that they find “good things and sometimes not-so-good things,” such as experimenting with drugs.
While Big Brothers Big Sisters of Westchester reports to Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, the national office doesn’t fund affiliates. Westchester raises its own money to operate through grants and donations and actually pays fees to the national office for use of its databases.
The question every mother asks when she signs up her child is, “When am I going to get a Big?” Childs finds this question difficult to answer since there are so many factors in producing a match.
“It’s a little hard for us to say because we don’t know when that perfect Big is going to walk through the door,” she said. “We kind of say, ‘It could be two days, it could be two months, sometimes it could be two years; we just don’t know.'”
When the World Shut Down, BBBS Westchester Opened Their Hearts
Report from Local Big Brothers Big Sisters Chapter Shows Increase in Mentoring Despite Pandemic
by Kathy Callahan
Port Chester Patch, March 16, 2022,
In 2021, one year into the pandemic the shadow of its impact loomed largely over most communities still deterring people from moving about freely and openly. Simply put, people were still afraid. However, that fear did not hinder the progress of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Westchester County, (BBBS) Inc. During this time the organization thrived as more people stepped up to answer the growing need for support in helping at-risk youth across Westchester and Putnam Counties.
New Matches Set a Record
Specifically, the organization saw 181 new matches of Bigs and Littles through its community-based mentoring program, an increase from pre-pandemic years. In total, 370 children were supported by the program.
One such inspirational union was Little Sister "Julie" and Big Sister "Donna." "Julie" lives with her grandmother and aunt who provide her love and support, but she was in need of additional external inspiration and guidance. As a successful woman balancing family and career working as an attorney, Big Sister "Donna" opened "Julie's" eyes to new possibilities.
"This was something I wanted to do to have a positive impact on a child's life, but ultimately, it helped me just as much," said "Donna." "I found the experience incredibly rewarding."
Stronger Bonds and New Adventures
Even though this match began during the pandemic, a year and a half later, the bond between "Julie" and "Donna" continues to grow stronger with every encounter. Julie's grandmother notes that her grades have improved, her behavior is more positive at home, and she has been willing to try new things. "Julie" and "Donna" embark in various new adventures when they meet with each other two to three times a month. They enjoy pottery and painting classes, museum visits, and even doing homework together.
Julie recently told her BBBS program manager that she is always excited before an outing with Donna, and she often reaches out to her Big Sister for advice. Donna has been a consistent presence checking in to ensure that Julie is doing well and staying on top of her schoolwork. Julie even enrolled in Girl Scouts where she has made friends for the first time in her life.
Stepping Up During the Pandemic
The continued success and growth of this program couldn't have come at a more critical time. Throughout the pandemic, program managers worked diligently to identify and help arrange the tools each match needed for success. Also, the organization was able to partner with numerous other community non-profits to provide food, clothing and assistance with housing. Most importantly, the staff worked with each match to establish a Youth Outcome Development Plan and SMART goals.
"Ninety-eight percent of our children were promoted to the next grade, a statistic we are extremely proud of," said Valerie Brown, executive director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Westchester County, Inc. "We have created a virtual one-to-one tutoring program for those children struggling with school shutdowns and occasional remote learning as it's continued."
Brown notes that among the program's high school seniors, the majority are applying to college while the remaining students are graduating, working, or enrolled in vocational programs.
Milestones to Be Proud Of
Additionally, Big Sisters Big Brothers of Westchester County proudly reached the following milestones during a year of COVID uncertainty:
Approximately, 98% of youth were satisfied with the Mentor Match Relationship, based on national evaluation tools, including measuring importance of relationship and closeness. The chapter's retention rate is currently 84%.
91% percent of Youth demonstrated improvement in either social acceptance or competency, parental trust, improved grades, and not engaging in risky behaviors.
63% percent demonstrated improvement in more than one category.
80% percent of Youth felt more confident problem-solving with the help of their Big mentors, who provide the ongoing emotional and social support.
Approximately 98% of the youth did not engage in substance abuse.
Exciting Post-Covid Plans
Now moving into 2022, multiple grants from private and public foundations will continue to benefit the program, assisting with operating support, which includes intake of children and volunteer mentors, background and fingerprint checks, database management, mentor, child and guardian match support and family and wait list engagement events.
"We have many exciting activities and programs planned for this year, like Bingo Nights, a Bowling Fundraiser, Summer Barbecue and of course, our signature Holiday Party," adds Brown. "With mask mandates lifting and COVID finally winding down, we eagerly anticipate maximum attendance at each event this year!"
Big Brother Bill and Little Brother Christiano were one of the 181 successful new matches facilitated by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Westchester County, Inc. during the pandemic.
New Model for Big Brothers Big Sisters, But Goal Remains the Same
by Martin Wilbur
The Examiner News, January 26, 2022
Jan. 1, there was a major change to the well-known youth mentoring organization Big Brothers Big Sisters but the outfit’s mission hasn’t changed at all.
For the first time in 65 years, the local chapter of Big Brothers Big Sisters became an independent, nonprofit organization at the start of the month after being sponsored by Family Services of Westchester (FSW) since its formation.
Now formally called Big Brothers Big Sisters of Westchester County, Inc., it will continue to help boys and girls from single-parent or single-caregiver homes throughout Westchester and Putnam between the ages of seven and 17 who lack a positive male or female role model in their lives.
“It’s been in the works for a long time and we’re actually really excited about it because where we had a lot of guidance before, we were a board within a board,” said Valerie Brown, executive director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Westchester County, which recently moved its offices to Port Chester.
The transition, which took the local chapter about eight to 10 months to complete, was strongly encouraged by the national organization’s CEO for each one of the roughly 240 chapters across the United States in order to help forge its own identity, Brown said.
Only about 20 chapters throughout the country remain under the umbrella of a sponsorship organization, a model that worked well a generation or more ago, but with the evolution of online searches and social media and the need for unique branding, became increasingly outdated.
Brown foresees two significant advantages that allows Big Brothers Big Sisters to get its name and mission out to the public, hopefully attracting more volunteers. Applying for grant money will also hopefully be more effective.
“One is that we’ll be able to recruit big brothers and big sisters easier because we will be more visible as a standalone, and the other is we won’t have the foundation competition within FSW,” Brown said.
Despite striking out on its own, the relationship between Big Brothers Big Sisters of Westchester County and FSW, a social services agency, remains strong, Brown maintained. Both organizations will continue to refer families to one another, she said.
The need for Big Brothers Big Sisters to find a sufficient supply of mentors is crucial to fulfilling its goal.
“Our children are in need of positive role models in their lives,” Brown said. “Most are from single-caregiver families, whether they be from foster homes or homes where there is a biological parent, or homes where they’re being raised by a grandparent or (another) relative. So they need someone just for them and they also need someone to expand their horizons from their community.”
Adult volunteers, referred to by the organization as Bigs, are asked to spend four to six hours a month over two visits for no- or low-cost outings. That could be a trip to a playground or park on a nice day, going to a pizzeria, a museum, or a ball game, introducing them to things in life that most people take for granted, Brown said.
Like in almost every other walk of life, the pandemic has brought its share of challenges. Many of the in-person mentoring had been curtailed. However, there have been virtual meetings where the youngster and mentor “visit.” For example, the San Diego Zoo had a virtual tour developed during the pandemic.
Boys, in particular, are perhaps more in need of positive role models, according to Brown. Most of the children come from homes where a woman is the head of the household, and there is an overwhelming number of women who want to be volunteers but there are far fewer calls to mentor girls.
“Most of our children are male and they’re being raised in single-caregiver, female-led households and so they need guys and it’s very difficult to find male volunteers,” Brown said. “We spend a lot of time on that.”
There are currently about 140 one-to-one mentorship connections, with a waiting list of about 60 boys. Many of the volunteers are empty-nesters.
Westchester-based organizations and corporations have also been recommending volunteers to the Big Brothers Big Sisters.
Despite the hurdles, Brown said the organization is doing fine. “The ’Bigs’ that we have say, ‘Oh my gosh, I get so much more out of this than the kid does,’ and they’re referring us to other people,” she said.
For more information about Big Brothers Big Sisters of Westchester, Inc. or to inquire about volunteering or making donations, call 914-937-3779 or visit www.bigswestchester.org.
After 64 Years, Big Brothers Big Sisters Westchester Is Going Solo
Part of Family Services of Westchester for decades, the beloved non-profit strikes out on its own as an independent 501(c)(3).
by Cristiana Caruso
Westchester Magazine, January 24, 2022
In a monumental move, the Big Brothers Big Sisters chapter that has historically served Westchester and Putnam counties has become an independent non-profit organization. Now known as Big Brothers Big Sisters of Westchester County, Inc., the organization has its own 501(c)(3) distinction. This comes after 64 years of being sponsored by Family Services of Westchester, the social service agency that has been serving some of the most vulnerable parts of the county.
This separation will allow BBBS to not only increase its programs but to match even more children with positive role models in the community. The regional chapter of the federation of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America will now be headquartered at 10 Midland Avenue in Port Chester.
“This is the logical next step in the evolution of our mission to help the youth of Westchester and Putnam counties achieve their full potential,” says Valerie Brown, executive director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Westchester County, Inc. “We are extremely excited about increasing our powerful programs and overall presence in our community during 2022 and beyond.”
“As this transformation takes place, Family Services of Westchester will continue to refer children in need of mentors to our organization, as we will continue to refer our families to FSW for much-needed ancillary services,” adds Brown. “We have built a strong support network with them these past six decades, and that’s something that will not change for our children and families, who can expect the same conscientious level of care and collaboration in all of our programs.”
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Westchester County, Inc. is a youth mentoring organization that serves children who face adversity in New York’s Westchester and Putnam counties to help keep them in school and away from violence and substance abuse, while assisting them to achieve their full potential in life. Big Brothers Big Sisters of America is the oldest and largest youth mentoring program in the United States, with 238 agencies in over 5,000 communities.
Independence from FSW will allow BBBS of Westchester to expand its mission to serve more children in need and attract more volunteers by broadening geographic and programmatic areas. Brown notes that organizational independence from FSW will also help streamline the BBBS grant application process, reduce intra-agency competition for various capital supply and allow the new chapter to participate in, and benefit from, national BBBS fundraising initiatives.
The BBBS of Westchester County is wasting no time on launching into its current initiatives. Right now, the nonprofit is focusing on “Community-Based Mentoring,” through which children between the ages of seven and 17 (Littles) who are facing adversity are matched with adult role models, ages 21 or older (Bigs), to spend four to six hours of time together during two scheduled low- or no-cost outings per month. BBBS is also zeroing in on “Site-Based Mentoring,” in which Littles enjoy structured activities with their Bigs, including homework help, art projects, games, career exploration, and one-on-one quality time. The nonprofit would even like to expand the area of “Waitlist Events,” or fun, monthly group events like bingo and bowling designed for children who are waiting to be matched with an adult mentor. For Littles who might not be little for too much longer, the program “Big Futures College and Vocational Training” provides educational guidance to help Littles graduate from high school and earn scholarships to colleges or post-secondary vocational programs. BBBS is also shifting with the times, recognizing the need for virtual tutoring for students, and is now offering a two-hour-per-week program during the school year to help children with their studies and homework.
A ceremonial Open House Ribbon Cutting event in the new office space is targeted for early spring and, as always, the organization’s Annual Appeal will occur in February. To learn more visit www.bigswestchester.org for information on becoming a Big, to donate and for a calendar of upcoming events.
A New Start for Youth Mentorship in Westchester County
Big Brothers Big Sisters to Spin off from Family Services of Westchester to Become an Independent Nonprofit in 2022
(Port Chester, NY) - January 12, 2022 – The Westchester chapter of Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) today announced that it has spun off to become its own entity from Family Services of Westchester (FSW), the social service agency that has sponsored it for the past 64 years. Effective immediately, BBBS is an independent 501(c)(3) agency officially named Big Brothers Big Sisters of Westchester County, Inc. The regional chapter of the federation of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America will now be headquartered at 10 Midland Avenue in Port Chester, NY.
“This is the logical next step in the evolution of our mission to help the youth of Westchester and Putnam counties achieve their full potential,” said Valerie Brown, executive director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Westchester County, Inc. “We are extremely excited about increasing our powerful programs and overall presence in our community during 2022 and beyond.”
“As this transformation takes place, Family Services of Westchester will continue to refer children in need of mentors to our organization, as we will continue to refer our families to FSW for much needed ancillary services,” adds Brown. “We have built a strong support network with them these past six decades and that’s something that will not change for our children and families, who can expect the same conscientious level of care and collaboration in all of our programs.”
Independence from FSW will allow BBBS of Westchester to expand its mission to serve more children in need and attract more volunteers within broader geographic and programmatic areas. Brown notes that organizational independence from FSW will also help streamline the BBBS grant application process, reduce intra-agency competition for various capital supply and allow the new chapter to participate in, and benefit from, national BBBS fundraising initiatives.
Current key initiatives of BBBS of Westchester County include: Community-Based Mentoring, where children between the ages of 7 and 17 (Littles), who are facing adversity, are matched with adult role models, ages 21 or older (Bigs) to spend 4-6 hours of time together during 2 scheduled low or no-cost outings per month; Site-Based Mentoring, in which Littles enjoy structured activities with their Bigs, including homework help, art projects, games, career exploration, and one-on-one quality time; Waitlist Events - fun, monthly group events like bingo and bowling designed for children who are waiting to be matched with an adult mentor; Big Futures College and Vocational Training that provides educational guidance to help Littles graduate from high school and earn scholarships to colleges or post-secondary vocational programs; Virtual Tutor, a two-hour-per-week commitment during the school year helping a child with his or her studies and homework.
A ceremonial Open House Ribbon Cutting event in the new office space is targeted for early spring and as always, the organization’s Annual Appeal will occur in February.