The $25,000 grant, provided by Richmond County Savings Foundation, will allow the organization to grow its initiatives throughout the borough and provide 25 young people between the ages of 7 – 18 with adult mentors to help them succeed in life.
“I am happy to help facilitate this partnership between Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Richmond County Savings Foundation,” said BP Oddo. “I know how important it is for young people to have a mentor in their lives. Remembering how important my mentor, John Fusco, was—and still is—to me, I can only hope that the young men and women in our community find their own mentor through programs like this.”
“The remarkable support of partners like Richmond County Savings Foundation is what enables our organization to continue providing young people with opportunities to reach their full potential,” said Hector Batista, chief executive officer of BBBS of NYC. “This funding will allow us to increase the number of youth we serve on Staten Island, matching them with role models they can rely on as they navigate challenges in school and everyday life. We are grateful and proud to celebrate the continued impact of mentoring with Borough President James Oddo and the Richmond County Savings Foundation.”
“Big Brothers Big Sisters of NYC does tremendous work to positively impact the lives of young people, encouraging them to aim high and dream big,” said Cesar Claro, executive director of Richmond County Savings Foundation. “As part of our commitment to supporting charitable organizations that advance educational opportunity and enrich cultural development, we are proud to support this organization and its work on Staten Island.”
Those who are interested in becoming a volunteer with BBBS of NYC can visit bigsnyc.org.