BBBS in the News

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

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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. 

Mentoring Program Matches ‘Bigs’ With ‘Littles’

By Dave Paone

The Epoch Times, June 7, 2022

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!"

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. 

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Westchester and Tommie Copper Hold First “Career Day” 

Tap Into North Salem, August 7, 2021

WESTCHESTER, N.Y. - Big Brothers Big Sisters of Family Services of Westchester kicked off their 2021 Big Futures summer internship program with a Career Day at Tommie Copper in Mount Kisco.

The first of four Career Days scheduled for summer 2021, this event was focused on helping the students of BBBS match their interests with their skills, to create a life-changing spark.

A source of motivation and an understanding of the end goal creates all-important momentum for young adults. BBBS and Tommie Copper teamed up to show this group of 10 students how to find that momentum and carry it into a more positive future.

“If I hadn’t learned everything I could, from everyone that I could, I would not have the career I have today,” said Kelli Lynch, SVP of Information Systems for Tommie Copper, in a keynote address to the students. She and Sol Jacobs, CEO, both shared how complicated pasts better prepared them for success in the workplace.

Relatability was the emphasis during these two heartfelt conversations, mirroring the BBBS focus on the positive impact of friends and role models. 

Students also heard from COO Kimberly Mallard on the value of teamwork. The ability to work positively and effectively with teammates is a learned skill many of us take for granted. It is also a new concept to many of the BBBS students.

“Set a common goal, communicate to others how you are doing and when you need help, and work hard,” said Kimberly. “It will make all the difference in achieving success.”

Students then rotated through “power networking” at tables representing all eight departments of Tommie Copper: graphic design, marketing, programming and IT, sales, ecommerce planning, finance and HR, product innovation and design, and manufacturing and logistics.

This one-on-one time with members of Team Tommie gave the students a unique opportunity to hear firsthand how people found their own rewarding career paths.

“For these students, it was their first introduction to the full range of career options, and made clear that passion is the greatest source of motivation and success” shared Kerri Elliott, from the BBBS Westchester leadership team. “We hope the momentum built today helps us recruit more companies and mentors to collaborate with on this program in the future.”

Con Edison Grant to Fund BBBS of FSW “Big Futures” Career and College Readiness Program

Facebook post shared from Family Services of Westchester, June 24, 2020

BBBS of FSW Receives Grant

Westchester County Business Journal, June 15, 2020

Big Brothers Big Sisters of FSW Receives $10,000 Grant from the First Niagara Foundation’s Legacy Mentoring Initiative

The First Niagara Foundation has awarded Big Brothers Big Sisters of Family Services of Westchester a $10,000 grant as part of its Legacy Mentoring Initiative. The grant funding will be awarded over the course of two years and will be used to help BBBS of FSW enhance its digital programs and recruiting efforts.

The First Niagara Foundation is an independent foundation dedicated to empowering individuals and neighborhoods through investment in programs that provide long term enhancement to the quality of life in New York. The First Niagara Foundation will become part of KeyBank when the merger between First Niagara and Cleveland, Ohio-based Key becomes effective on August 1, 2020.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of FSW Receives $30,000 grant to expand virtual mentoring, tutoring resources

Mid-Hudson News, June 12, 2020

WHITE PLAINS – Big Brothers Big Sisters of Family Services of Westchester has been awarded a $30,000 core mission grant by Impact100 Westchester as part of the Westchester women’s philanthropic collective’s 2020 grant cycle.

The one-year grant will be used to broaden and strengthen the agency’s youth mentoring offerings in the county to meet the extraordinary challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic. The grant will help bridge the digital divide faced by at-risk children in the County.

The grant will support initiatives including laptops with free Wi-Fi for “Littles” (mentees), college counseling and summer internship programs, online programming for children on the waitlist and expanded recruitment campaigns for new mentors.

“We are thrilled to be given the opportunity to expand our outreach to the children and families of Westchester who so desperately need us right now,” said Valerie Brown, executive director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Family Services of Westchester.

“With our waitlist growing by the day, Impact100’s funding will let us leverage technology to connect more children with online mentoring and tutoring resources and bring more flexibility to our adult mentor recruiting and training efforts,” she said.

New Grant Expands Virtual Mentoring and Tutoring Resources

Big Brothers Big Sisters of FSW Receives $30,000 from Impact100

Read more — Harrison Patch, June 5, 2020 

Big Brothers Big Sisters of FSW Receives $30,000 Grant from Impact100 Westchester

Funding will provide technology to connect more children to virtual mentoring and tutoring resources

PURCHASE, NY, June 3, 2020 – Big Brothers Big Sisters of Family Services of Westchester (BBBS of FSW) has been awarded a $30,000 core mission grant by Impact100 Westchester as part of the Westchester women’s philanthropic collective’s 2020 grant cycle.

The one-year grant will be used to broaden and strengthen BBBS of FSW’s youth mentoring programs to meet the extraordinary challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Leveraging Technology for Online Mentoring and Training

“We are thrilled to be given the opportunity to expand our outreach to the children and families of Westchester who so desperately need us right now,” said Valerie A. Brown, Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Family Services of Westchester.

“With our waitlist growing by the day, Impact100’s funding will let us leverage technology to connect more children with online mentoring and tutoring resources and bring more flexibility to our adult mentor recruiting and training efforts,” she continued.  

A Virtual Celebration for This Year’s Grant Finalists

Impact100’s own 7th Annual Meeting, where it announced its grant awards on June 2, 2020, was impacted by social distancing as well. The meeting, billed as a virtual celebration, was streamed via Zoom, with Impact100 members logging on to watch one-minute videos submitted by each of the 12 grant finalists.

“All of us here at Family Services of Westchester are honored to be in the company of such wonderful finalists doing such important work at such a critical time,” noted Polly Kerrigan, President and CEO of FSW.

In addition to Big Brothers Big Sisters of FSW, this year’s Impact100 Westchester finalists included the Boys and Girls Club of New Rochelle, Cerebral Palsy of Westchester, Community Resource Center, Greyston Foundation, HOPE Community Services, Human Development Services, Mount Vernon Neighborhood Health Center, Port Chester Carver Center, Westchester Medical Center Foundation, YWCA White Plains & Central Westchester and the YWCA of Yonkers.

Galleria at White Plains #GalleriaOfGood Covid-19 Tribute to BBBS Program Manager Kerri Elliott

Link to Facebook post, May 29, 2020

Link to BBBS Virtual Activities List mentioned in the post

Big Brothers Big Sisters Keeps Connected with Youth During Social Distancing

Business Council of Westchester, May 12, 2020

Face-to-face meetings are a critical part of any youth mentoring program so when the Covid-19 pandemic struck, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Family Services of Westchester kicked into high gear to invent creative ways to keep the mentoring bonds strong. To keep its Bigs (adult mentors) and Littles (mentored children) connected, BBBS quickly compiled and shared a list of over 50 ideas for virtual connection, many using Zoom, Skype or FaceTime to work together on art projects, puzzles, homework or crafts.

Because many Littles live in households that lack computers, with the support of the BBBS Advisory Council and most generous donors, BBBS has been able to distribute dozens of laptops to help its Littles keep up with their schoolwork and their mentors. Also, with so many Littles no longer having access to the free school lunches they qualify for, BBBS has committed significant time and energy connecting its families with food pantry resources and coordinating food deliveries to those in need.

“We serve over 300 at-risk youth and their families in Westchester,” said BBBS Executive Val Brown, “and we’ll do everything in our power to make sure they stay connected and healthy during this unprecedented time.”

Business Council of Westchester

February 28, 2020 — Looking for a way to make a difference in the community and have fun doing it? Want to have a positive impact in the life of a local child? Become a BIG mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters!

WHAT – Do you know an adult who would like to mentor a child 4-6 hours per month? Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of Family Services of Westchester (FSW) have several dozen children waiting for a Big Brother or Big Sister! We are especially in need of male volunteers to match with our wait list of male mentees.

WHO – Our community based program involves matching adult volunteers with Westchester youth between the ages of 7-17.

WHY – Children with a Big Brother or Big Sister mentor are more likely to see their self-esteem skyrocket, more likely to improve academically, less likely to skip school, and less likely to start using drugs.

HOW TO GET INVOLVED – For more information, email us at denise.austin@fsw.org , call (914)937-3779 or visit www.bigswestchester.org

World-Famous Mentalist Oz Pearlman to Headline Oct. 26 Fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters

“The Next Big Thing” event at the Neuberger Museum of Art will honor two-time Big Sister Debbie Linder

PURCHASE, NY, Sept. 9, 2019 – Big Brothers Big Sisters of Family Services of Westchester will bring world-renowned mentalist Oz Pearlman to the Neuberger Museum of Art at Purchase College, 735 Anderson Hill Road in Purchase, N.Y., on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, 6:30 p.m. to headline The Next Big Thing, a magical evening of art, cocktails, dinner and mind-bending entertainment to benefit the group’s mentoring programs for youth facing adversity.

Known for his 2015 third-place finish on America’s Got Talent — as well as appearances on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon and NBC’s The Today Show — Oz (pronounced OHs) Pearlman has become an audience favorite for his charisma, humor, charm — and uncanny ability to read minds.

Unlocking Future Potential

“Since our mission here at Big Brothers Big Sisters is to envision and unlock the future potential of the children we mentor, we think featuring a mentalist will be the perfect way to highlight this year’s Next Big Thing theme,” said Valerie A. Brown, BBBS of FSW Executive Director. “We hope you’ll join us for what we predict will be an unforgettable evening!”

“The opportunity to hold The Next Big Thing in the newly reopened Neuberger Museum of Art also presents us with the perfect venue,” noted Jane Goldman, president of the Big Brothers Big Sisters Advisory Council. Guests at The Next Big Thing will be among the first to view a new exhibit by Yto Barrada, an internationally acclaimed multi-media artist and winner of the 2019 Roy R. Neuberger Prize.  

Auctions and a Special Honoree

Rounding out the evening will be silent and live auctions and a tribute to the evening’s honoree, long-time BBBS Advisory Council member and two-time Big Sister, Debbie Linder.

Sponsorships and tickets are available at all levels, ranging from $175 to $25,000 and may be purchased online at BigsWestchester.org/events or by calling (914) 937-3779.

Lord + Taylor Hosts Big Brothers Big Sisters for a Special Morning of Back-to-School Shopping

“Big” mentors help their “Little” brothers and sisters shop for confidence-building clothing

PURCHASE, NY, August 27, 2019 – Who doesn’t remember that feeling of wanting to look your very best on the first day of school? Starting the school year off on the right foot — with brand-new sneakers, a warm winter coat, or even the perfect signature hat — has been proven to lead to more confidence in the classroom, yet not every Westchester family has room in its budget for new school clothes.

Enter the enthusiastic and generous team at Lord + Taylor, who treated the children of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Family Services of Westchester to a Breakfast and Back-to-School Shopping morning at Lord + Taylor’s Eastchester store, 750 White Plains Rd. in Scarsdale on Saturday, August 17, 2019.

From Shopping to Selfies

The Littles enrolled in the program faced BIG decisions as they arrived at the event to shop with their mentors. Should they savor the delicious home-baked pastries from the store’s own Lord + Taylor Cafe or head straight to the “candy bar,” courtesy of Sweeets in Larchmont? Catch up with friends from the program or visit the selfie photobooth from Royal Productions?

There was a hush as Steve Brosnan, general manager of Lord + Taylor Eastchester, welcomed everyone, introduced his team and handed out gift cards to each Big-Little pair. Rikki Dee Childs, assistant program director of Big Brothers Big Sisters, led the delighted young shoppers in a loud round of applause to thank Lord + Taylor, saying, “Our kids and their families really appreciate this amazing opportunity. You have given us a very special morning and it’s one of the highlights of our summer!”

Room to Grow and Real-Life Math Lessons

And with that, the shoppers were off, each with his or her own wish list and shopping style. Some pairs stayed closely connected to family by phone so guardians could participate in the day with reminders to “buy sizes with plenty of room to grow.”

Other Bigs turned their shopping into a real-life math lessons, carefully calculating running totals and coupon discounts. And everyone, from the oldest boys to the youngest girls, left grinning from ear to ear carrying multiple bags of back-to-school clothing.

Big Brother John Thanks Lord + Taylor

Racing behind his Little Brother Kemani on their way to the athletic gear, Big Brother John shared how attending a volunteer recruitment event sponsored by Lord + Taylor back in 2016 was what inspired him to become a Big Brothers Big Sisters mentor in the first place. “I work nearby and just happened to stop in that night on my way home. Being a mentor to Kemani has added so much fun to my life. And you can say I owe it all to Lord + Taylor!”

“John and Kemani are a perfect example of the kind of ‘long and strong’ matches we try to create, explains BBBS of FSW Executive Director, Valerie Brown. “We do an incredibly thorough job of background checking, placing, training and supporting each of our Big-Little matches and seeing them have so much fun makes it all worthwhile. Lord + Taylor has given our Littles the gift of enhanced confidence as they start the school year and we are so grateful!”

Big Brothers Big Sisters Gets Ready to Bowl for Kids’ Sake on June 6th

Bowling, dinner and silent auction fundraiser will benefit BBBS mentoring programs

 PURCHASE, NY, May 23, 2019 – The sound of bowling balls rolling down alleys and crashing into pins will be music to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Family Services of Westchester’s ears when the youth mentoring organization hosts Bowl for Kids’ Sake on Thursday, June 6, 2019 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Bowlmor Lanes, 47 Tarrytown Road in White Plains.

 The fundraising event will feature bowling, dinner, drinks, music and a silent auction. Participants of all ages and athletic abilities and welcome. In fact, to emphasize building community over bowling skills, Bowl for Kids’ Sake is encouraging non-bowlers to treat a “Little” on the program’s waitlist to an unforgettable evening of fun. 

 Making ‘Long and Strong’ Matches

 Proceeds from Bowl for Kids’ Sake will benefit the 71 Westchester children currently waiting to be matched with a permanent Big Brother or Big Sister mentor of their very own. 

“We want all of our mentoring matches to be ‘long and strong’ so we do an incredibly thorough job of background checking, placing, training and supporting each of our Big-Little matches,” explains BBBS of FSW Executive Director, Valerie Brown. “But such a careful process also means that our one-to-one mentoring matches are expensive to create so right now, our waitlist is at an all-time high.”

Help a Kid When You Join the Fun!

So far, 24 teams have signed up to bowl and Bowl for Kids’ Sake has raised almost $20,000 toward its $25,000 goal. PepsiCo Beverages North America has signed on as the event’s Platinum Perfect Game lead sponsor.

To join in the Bowl for Kids’ Sake fun on June 6th and help match a Little on the BBBS waitlist with his or her perfect Big, please visit http://bit.ly/BowlForKidsSake2019. Your generous donation of $50 or more will provide an unforgettable evening of bowling fun for one or more waitlist children. 

To find out more about sponsoring a team or becoming a Big Brother or Big Sister, please contact Denise Austin at (914) 305-6863 or denise.austin@fsw.org.

Little Gestures, Big Effects

Westchester Wag, November 2018

The traditional gift for celebrating 60 years may be diamonds, but there is something infinitely more valuable than that. For youth all over Westchester County, it’s the gift of time and mentorship.

The anniversary for the Port Chester-based affiliate of the well-known youth mentoring organization Big Brothers Big Sisters of Family Services of Westchester is a celebration of futures altered, communities strengthened and meaningful connections made. 

The mentorship model matches adult volunteers (“Bigs”) with children (“Littles”) in a tried-and- true relationship that emphasizes the importance of role models in the life of a child. History has proven that Bigs can have a major effect on helping their Littles navigate life and recognize their full potential. 

“We have … adults who were ‘Littles’ years ago,” says Executive Director Valerie Brown. “And they’ll say, ‘It changed my life.’” 

In Westchester, more than 12 percent — the number is more than 23 percent in some communities — of children live in poverty.

But every year, thanks to the organization, hundreds of those children (between the ages of 7 and 17) have been paired with a companion and mentor whose one-on-one relationship with them influences the trajectory of their lives.

The Big Brother or Sister commitment is fulfilling and simple but the value received by the Littles is immeasurable. Bigs are asked to give just four hours a month and can even fold the hours into their own leisure time — playing basketball, sharing music or just chatting over an ice cream. Proof that it’s the “little” things that matter most.

Many volunteer Bigs have been beneficiaries of these relationships themselves. “They had a great role model that really helped them and they want to give back,” Brown says.

Big Brothers Big Sisters is the oldest and largest youth-mentoring program in the country with nearly 400 agencies and more that 275,000 Bigs nationwide. The longevity of the organization means its name recognition is unparalleled. Indeed, Brown adds that when volunteer candidates are asked how they’ve heard about the group, many say, “I’ve always known about it.”

The Westchester affiliate was launched in 1958 and is unusual in that it operates under the umbrella of FSW. “Out of 300 chapters, 30 of us are part of a larger agency,” Brown says. “FSW is an awesome service agency with 48 programs. What is really wonderful is we can really easily provide ancillary services,” like housing and mental health support. 

Big Brothers Big Sisters itself has a 114-year history in the United States. In 1904, New York City County Clerk Ernest Coulter began looking for volunteers to mentor the increasing number of young boys he saw paraded through his courtroom. Meanwhile, the Ladies of Charity (eventually Catholic Big Sisters) had begun doing the same for young girls. The two operated separately until 1977 when they joined forces.

Unfortunately, the long history and name recognition is not enough to drive recruitment. 

“We have had sort of a tough time with recruitment,” Brown says. “It’s typical to have boys on a wait list nationwide.” Right now, there are more than 45 boys on the wait list in Westchester County.

“It’s so interesting, because we have women volunteers and no men.” 

In July, the organization hosted a dynamic fundraising event, “The Big Game Day,” at Dave & Busters in Pelham Manor. Current and former New York Jets players were on hand to sign autographs and pose for pictures. “That was a really fun event,” Brown says. “But it did not yield one Big Brother.”

Surprisingly, she adds, these events rarely do. Volunteers report they are instead reminded about the program the old-fashioned way, through flyers and other paper postings.

“Our Bigs are a little older,” Brown says. Fifty percent of Bigs are between the ages of 48 and 60. Only a quarter are younger. Those younger volunteers usually participate in site-based (as opposed to community-based) after school enrichment programs. They come through colleges such as Manhattanville, Pace and Mercy. These programs have been successful but seldom do they translate to the community-based mentorship model. So, the organization is always looking for new ways to attract volunteers.

“We are starting a couples’ match,” Brown says. On Nov. 3, The Performing Arts Center at Purchase College will host “Big Brothers Big Sisters: The Really Big Show.” Last year, the variety show-styled event featured Jay Leno, comedian and former host of “The Tonight Show.” This year, the featured headliner will be The B-52s. 

Adults considering participation in the mentorship program are asked to make a one-year commitment to their Littles, though the average match length is about three and a half years. The organization runs extensive background checks, conducts interviews and contacts references so that the resulting match will be a success. And, Brown adds, “We have an LGBTQ program as well.”

The point folks at Big Brothers Big Sisters want to drive home is that mentorship does indeed make a difference in a child’s life, no matter how big or little.

Retro Favorites the B-52s Join the Harlem Gospel Choir to Headline The Really Big Show 2018

PURCHASE, NY, Oct. 17, 2018 – From the soaring vocals of “Amazing Grace” to the unmistakable opening guitar riffs of “Rock Lobster,” every music fan will be dancing in the aisles when the world-renowned Harlem Gospel Choir joins “the world’s greatest party band,” the B-52s, for The Really Big Show on Saturday, Nov. 3, 2018 at The Performing Arts Center at Purchase College, 735 Anderson Hill Road in Purchase, N.Y. at 7:30 p.m.

Back for its third blockbuster year, The Really Big Show — recently named Westchester County’s best nonprofit event by Westchester Magazine — will channel the ‘60s variety show classic, “The Ed Sullivan Show,” to benefit the youth mentoring programs of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Family Services of Westchester.

Also performing will be Matt Schuler of The Voice fame, whose stirring rendition of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” became a top ten hit on iTunes; 16-year-old blind pianist Matthew Whitaker, hailed by Savannah Guthrie of “Today” as the next Stevie Wonder; the Jazz House Kids and The Really Big Show Singers.

The evening will honor Presenting Sponsor Morgan Stanley’s Managing Director, Chad Johnson, Head of National Sales for Morgan Stanley Private Bank, N.A. Morgan Stanley Managing Director and award-winning children’s book author, Sandra L. Richards, will act as master of ceremonies.

Individual tickets are $175 per person, with sponsorship opportunities available at all levels. Tickets may be purchased online at http://bit.ly/ReallyBigShowTickets and sponsorships by calling (914) 937-3779. Major sponsors include Shoreline Foods, Eaton Vance, Thuzio and ACK Asset Management LLC.

“We are extremely grateful that The Really Big Show has become such a hit in our Westchester community,” said Valerie A. Brown, BBBS Executive Director. “We would not be able to continue our vital work on behalf of Westchester’s youth without your enthusiastic support. We hope you’ll join us for an unforgettable evening!”

The Really Big Show 2018 Will Feature the B-52s to Benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of FSW

PURCHASE, NY, Sept. 13, 2018 – The Really Big Show — named Westchester County’s best nonprofit event by Westchester Magazine — will return to the Performing Arts Center at Purchase College, 735 Anderson Hill Road in Purchase, N.Y., on Nov. 3, 2018 at 7:30 p.m. for an exceptional evening of music and entertainment headlined by “the world’s greatest party band,” the B-52s.

Known for their zany, retro hits like “Love Shack,” “Rock Lobster,” “Roam,” and “Private Idaho,” the B-52s will top an outstanding lineup of variety acts that includes the world-renowned Harlem Gospel Choir, the Jazz House Kids, Matt Schuler, Matt Whittaker, and The Really Big Show Singers.

Co-hosted by Morgan Stanley and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Family Services of Westchester, all proceeds from The Really Big Show will benefit BBBS of FSW’s youth mentoring programs. Now in its third year, The Really Big Show was originally inspired by the ‘60s variety show classic, “The Ed Sullivan Show.”

The master of ceremonies for this year’s event will be Morgan Stanley Managing Director and award-winning children’s book author, Sandra L. Richards. The Really Big Show 2018 will honor Morgan Stanley Managing Director, Chad Johnson, Head of National Sales for Morgan Stanley Private Bank, N.A. This year’s event co-chairs are Big Brother Big Sisters Advisory Council members Deborah Boillot and Jackie Meisenberg,

Individual tickets start at $175 per person and sponsorship opportunities are available, ranging from $350 to $50,000. Tickets and sponsorships may be purchased online through this link to the Big Brothers Big Sisters website or by calling (914) 937-3779.

“The Really Big Show is a wonderful evening of music and entertainment that brings everyone together to give back and show support for those in our community who need it most. I am overjoyed by its success and excited that we are back again this year,” said The Really Big Show creator and founder Richard J. Franchella, Managing Director – Wealth Management and Manager of Morgan Stanley’s Central and Eastern Pennsylvania Complex.

“We are extremely grateful that The Really Big Show has been such a success the last couple of years. We would not be able to continue the important work that we do without the support of Morgan Stanley and our wonderful Westchester community,” stated Valerie A. Brown, BBBS Executive Director. “Please join us for a night of unforgettable performances and fun in the name of BBBS and the children it serves. You will not be disappointed!”

NYSF Magazine, August 2018

A Touchdown for Big Brothers Big Sisters

Westchester Wag, July 13, 2018

In Westchester County, Big Brothers Big Sisters has a waitlist of more than 45 boys hoping for volunteer mentors to be their Big Brothers. Some of these boys, ages 7 through 17, have been on the list as long as 15 months. To help these boys find needed mentors, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Family Services of Westchester will host the “Big Game Day” on Sunday, July 15 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Dave & Buster’s in Pelham Manor.

The “Big Game Day” will feature appearances by New York Jets players, as well as games, food, prizes and the chance to check out Dave & Buster’s new, state-of-the-art video, racing, basketball and air hockey games. Raffle prizes include 50-yard-line Club seats, photo opportunities with individual players and autographed items from the Jets. Bring your favorite Gang Green gear and charge your camera batteries, because current Jets players Lorenzo Mauldin, Quincy Enunwa, Terrelle Pryor and Elijah McGuire will sign autographs and pose for pictures, joined by former NFL players Rob Carpenter and Bruce Harper and fan favorites Fireman Ed and Alex Giaimo. A $75 ticket entitles you to a $56 Dave & Buster’s Power Card with unlimited gameplay, including non-ticket games; lunch; and the chance to inspire the Jets to preseason greatness before they head to training camp. A $50 ticket includes everything but the Power Card. All proceeds from Big Game Day go to expand mentoring programs at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Family Services of Westchester.

You can buy tickets at BigsWestchester.org or purchase them at the door. Dave’s & Busters is at 881 Pelham Parkway.

Game on to mentor children who could use a break.

Meet New York Jets Players Live at Dave & Buster’s New Pelham Location

Big Game Day fundraiser on July 15th will benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters mentoring programs

PORT CHESTER, NY, June 22, 2018 – For fans of arcade gaming, the New York Jets and the power of mentoring to transform Westchester kids’ lives, it doesn’t get any better than the Big Brothers Big Sisters-sponsored Big Game Day, set to take place on Sunday, July 15th from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Dave & Buster’s new Westchester location, 881 Pelham Parkway in Pelham Manor, NY.

Big Game Day will feature live appearances by Jets players, as well as games, food, prizes and the chance to check out Dave & Buster’s brand new, state-of-the art video, racing, basketball and air hockey games.

Bring your favorite Gang Green gear and charge your camera batteries because current Jets players Lorenzo Mauldin, Quincy Enunwa, Terrelle Pryor and Elijah McGuire will be signing autographs and posing for pictures, joined by former NFL players Rob Carpenter and Bruce Harper and fan favorites Fireman Ed and Alex Giaimo.

Tickets are $100, which includes a $56 Dave & Buster’s Power Card loaded with 375 game play chips, unlimited arcade access, lunch, and the chance to inspire the Jets to preseason greatness before they head to training camp or $50, which includes everything but the Power Card.

Buy tickets at BigsWestchester.org or purchase them at the door. All proceeds from Big Game Day go to expand the life-changing mentoring programs at Big Brother Big Sisters of Family Services of Westchester. Game On!

Comedian Jay Leno Headlines Big Brothers Big Sisters Charity Show at Purchase College

Rockland/Westchester Journal News — November 4, 2017

Jay Leno spoke to two other people on stage in front of an empty theater at Purchase College a little more than an hour before showtime. 

The former host of "The Tonight Show" was unassuming in jeans, sneakers and an open jean button-down shirt over a t-shirt. 

Over the next hour, he changed into a suit and tie and got ready to headline The Really Big Show Saturday night, a variety show-style fundraiser event for the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Family Services of Westchester. 

Before it started, Leno met with reporters and had a sneakers-and-jeans type of conversation where he shied away from taking credit, cracked some jokes and talked about a couple of places he loved in Westchester County.

"There's not a lot of money for kinds of things like this, so it's up to private people to help out when they can," Leno said. "It's a terrific organization, and you don't really see the fruits of it until 20 or 30 years later when someone says, 'I got to go to this college because of something you did or program you set up,' so that's what makes you feel good."

And "it's a little silly and you feel a little embarrassed when people say thank you so much (for doing the show)," Leno said. "I'm not really the one doing the hard work. I'm just telling jokes." 
 

Leno, who lived on Leland Avenue in New Rochelle until he was 9 years old, said he visited a local market on Boston Post Road, the Green Tree Country Club, which one of his uncles owned, and Trinity Elementary School, where he attended school. 

And he and his family frequently ate at Giovanni's Italian Restaurant in New Rochelle.

"When you're nine, you really don't go more than a couple hundred yards from the house," Leno joked, "But there used to be a restaurant called Giovanni's. Bambi was playing across the street at the theater somewhere in New Rochelle. We used to go there all the time." 

When asked if he comes back to New Rochelle, he said, "I came back about 20 years ago for a couple of days, but most of the family moved to Florida."

He paused for a second.

"Because, you know, that's what you have to do when you get to live to be a certain age and live in Westchester," he said, "So there's not a lot of reasons to be here other than the nostalgia."

The third annual Really Big Show, which was sponsored by Morgan Stanley and The Journal News/lohud.com, raised money and brought attention to Big Brothers Big Sisters, a mentoring program in Westchester that serves vulnerable youth. 

Roger McDaniel, chair adviser for the program, said the money goes towards developing mentors and said they're looking especially for male mentors to join the program because there's a backlog of boys who need them.

"We're very proud of Big Brothers Big Sisters," McDaniel said. "The real value is seeing that the program does work." 

Jay Leno talks about being a 'Shabbos goy' and his New Rochelle roots

The Journal News — October 31, 2017

Jay Leno, the former host of “The Tonight Show,” has fond recollections of his childhood in New Rochelle.

“It was the kind of place where all my relatives lived in and around the area. So Sunday afternoon, we’d have a big Italian dinner at one of the relative’s houses,” Leno recalled during a recent phone interview from California. “I was probably 12 years old before I realized people did not start with lasagna at Thanksgiving.”

Leno was speaking to me from his garage in Burbank, which houses his well-known collection of 160 cars and 130 motorcycles. His current CNBC show, “Jay Leno’s Garage” is often filmed there.

On Nov. 4, Leno will be the headliner for The Really Big Show, a fundraiser for the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Family Services of Westchester. The variety show-style event will be held at The Performing Arts Center at Purchase College and is being sponsored by Morgan Stanley and The Journal News/lohud.com. Former New York Giants running back Tiki Barber will serve as emcee.

Born in 1950, Leno grew up on Leland Avenue until age 9 and attended the Trinity Elementary School.  He described his old neighborhood as “multicultural.”

As a kid, Leno says he always assumed grandparents could not speak English.

Jay Leno (Photo: Kim Reed)

“My grandparents spoke only Italian, my friend’s grandparents only spoke Polish and other people’s grandparents only spoke Yiddish,” he said. “So I remember, after we moved to Massachusetts, and my friend introduced me to his grandmother and she goes, ‘How are you, young man?,’ and I go, ‘Wow, you speak English!’”

Growing up in New Rochelle, Leno said he took it for granted that everybody did something different. He claims to have even served as a “shabbos goy,” a non-Jew who performs certain tasks which a Jewish person is prohibited from doing on the Sabbath.

“I was a shabbos goy. I’d help the neighbors shut things on and off,” Leno said. “On Christmas, they’d run errands and do things for us. That’s the thing about growing up in New York, everybody had some other tradition that was different. It didn’t seem different to me because it was normal for me. It was a fun place.  It was a nice community.”

One of Leno’s uncles owned the Green Tree Country Club in New Rochelle when he was growing up.  Another uncle owned Leno’s Clam Bar, popularly known as Greasy Nick’s.  Now, a cousin runs the restaurant on Pelham Road.

On getting into comedy, Leno says it might have had something to do with his mother.

A Scottish immigrant, she arrived here when she was about 12 years old. Leno says after her parents separated, she was packed off to America.

“My mom had a rough life.  There were too many kids in a one room studio apartment,” he said. “It was a different time. They just put her on a boat and sent her to America.”

As a child, Leno said he’d often find her staring out the window.

“I think that’s why I became a comedian, just to make my mom laugh. My mom was not a depressed person but she’d always sit smoking her Chesterfield, looking out a window,” he said. “I’d always just try to do something funny to distract her, to make her laugh.”

Even as he hosted the Tonight Show for 22 years, he kept a busy stand-up schedule, touring about 150 days a year.

Now in retirement, he is still diligent about honing his craft, doing shows 210 days a year.

Why have such a hectic schedule?

“I’m dyslexic so I don’t write anything down. So you just have to do things. The stage is not a normal place to be, but if you’re on the stage three or four time a week, it seems normal,” said Leno. “You feel relaxed, you don’t feel nervous. It’s learning by rote.”

During the interview, he asked me where I was from. When I told him I’d grown up in India, he told me I’d “get a kick out of” watching a clip of an episode of "Jay Leno’s Garage,” in which he reviews the Indian Tata Nano, the world’s cheapest car. Wearing a silver sherwani, he breaks into a Bollywood number, surrounded by female dancers wearing colorful ghagra cholis.

"The car costs half of what my designer outfit cost," he said.

He tells me he loves Indian parents because they remind him of his own parents. 

“Whenever people come to America, the parents are so conservative and they work so hard,” said Leno. “I have a close Indian friend, who owns a successful motorcycle business. But his mother is so disappointed he’s not a doctor. She thinks he could still become a doctor. I love that. They want so much for their children to succeed. It’s the American story.”

Morgan Stanley, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Family Services of Westchester Present: The Really Big Show

Port Chester, NY, October 2, 2017 — Morgan Stanley is partnering with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Family Services of Westchester to host The Really Big Show, a charitable fundraiser and variety show in the tradition of the Ed Sullivan Show. This great night of entertainment will take place on November 4, 2017 at 6:00 P.M. at The Performing Arts Center at Purchase College, 735 Anderson Hill Rd., Purchase NY.

Headlining this year’s event will be actor and comedian, Jay Leno, with an additional guest performance by Broadway star, and two-time Tony Award nominee, Norm Lewis. Joining Leno and Lewis will be singers, songwriters, ensembles and more, with former New York Giants Running Back Tiki Barber, serving as emcee. At The Really Big Show, all artists exemplify the power of mentoring today’s youth for tomorrow’s success.

Sponsorships for the event are available with levels ranging from $350 to $75,000 allowing corporations and individuals to publicly show support for the mentorship programs of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Family Services of Westchester. Corporate sponsor logos will be featured on all event related materials, as well as the Big Brothers Big Sisters of FSW website. Check out the Really Big Show’s Facebook page to see more details on sponsoring this event.

"The Really Big show is an unforgettable evening of music and entertainment that reminds all of us about the importance of community and how vital it is for us to give back. Our first show at the Capitol Theatre was an incredible success and we couldn't be more thrilled to be delivering such an exciting show at the Performing Arts Center in Purchase,” said Richard Franchella, Managing Director—Wealth Management and Manager of Morgan Stanley’s Central and Eastern Pennsylvania Complex.

Individual tickets for the show can also be purchased starting at $150 per person. Interested parties may order online or call 914.251.6200 but shouldn’t hesitate in order to secure the best seats for the show.

“The Really Big Show is a ‘must attend’ of the fall event season,” stated Val Brown, BBBS Executive Director. “The performers give their all for our kids, matching the commitment of our mentors, our sponsors and our honoree, Mandell Crawley of Morgan Stanley. Don’t miss it!”

Big Brothers Big Sisters receives Earth Day 2017 Recycling Award from Westchester County

BRONXVILLE, NY, May 13, 2017 – Big Brothers Big Sisters of Family Services of Westchester (FSW) was honored Saturday with Westchester County’s Earth Day Award for collecting materials throughout Westchester for reuse or recycling. The 2017 Reuse and Recycling Award was presented by Westchester County Executive Robert Astorino as part of the County’s annual Earth Day celebration at the Kensico Dam.

“Congratulations to the Family Services of Westchester and their Big Brothers Big Sisters of Westchester program on this great accomplishment,” said Westchester County Executive Robert P. Astorino. “Family Services of Westchester continues to set a great example by going above and beyond to make our community a better place to live.”

“We are grateful to County Executive Rob Astorino and the County of Westchester for this honor and for recognition of our efforts,” said BBBS Program Executive Director Valerie Brown. “The principals of recycling, renewal and environmental preservation are an important message to instill in our youth and the wider community alike.”

Big Brothers Big Sisters of FSW shared the County’s 2017 Earth Day recycling award with fellow honorees Good Will and Furniture Sharehouse.

Big Brothers Big Sisters Hosts Annual Holiday Party at Rye Country Day School

RYE, NY, December 17, 2016 — Big Brothers Big Sisters of Family Services of Westchester hosted its annual holiday party at Rye Country Day School. It was a wonderful day for the children and families, who spent time together playing games, dancing, receiving tarot card readings and participating in arts and crafts. 

Thank you so much to the many donors who made the holiday season extra special by donating gifts for all the children in our program. 

Gina Kowalski and the Heart of the Hudson Daisy Scouts
Hillside Elementary in Hastings-on-Hudson
Jaena Mebane
JFM Group
Leandra Ross and the Heart of the Hudson Girl Scouts
Morgan Stanley - Purchase
Reggie and the Equinox Gym and Café - Scarsdale
The Bausman Family
The Staff at Hillside Elementary School

MBIA – thank you for helping wrap hundreds of gifts for the children!

The Really Big Show 2016 featuring Joan Jett and the Blackhearts to Benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Family Services of Westchester

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Family Services of Westchester Announces Partnership with Museum 25 Public School in Yonkers

Yonkers Tribune, March 5, 2016

PORT CHESTER, NY, March 5, 2016 — Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of Family Services of Westchester (FSW) announces a new partnership with Museum 25 public school in Yonkers. Thanks to the generosity of the Vera and Walter Scherr and Carvel Foundations in creating and sustaining this school-based academic enrichment program, the program began on Tuesday, February 23. As in the BBBS model, students were matched with one-on-one mentors from Mercy College and participate in academic and cultural enrichment. Parents are given the opportunity to participate in parent education evenings throughout the school year.

Family Services of Westchester welcomes Valerie Brown as new Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters Program of FSW.

Family Services of Westchester, Inc. (FSW) is pleased to announce the appointment of Valerie Brown as Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters

Port Chester Patch, July 14, 2015

Family Services of Westchester, Inc. (FSW) is pleased to announce the appointment of Valerie Brown as Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of FSW. Ms. Brown is a College and Career Counselor who has been in private practice for over 20 years. She has extensive corporate employment experience before holding numerous volunteer leadership roles with a focus on youth counseling, mentoring, college and career guidance. She is deeply committed to the Big Brothers Big Sisters program, having served for over 14 years on the Board of Trustees for BBBS New York City, most recently holding the position of Vice President of the Executive Committee. Ms. Brown was responsible for creating the New York City affiliate's summer program for inner city youth, which provides career and college guidance, direction and skills preparation; conducted a three-year branding study for the group; and chaired numerous fundraising events. In addition to her work with BBBS NYC, Ms. Brown currently serves on the National Board of Family Equality Council. In the past, she has served on the Board of the School of the Holy Child in Rye, Young Audiences, Ronald McDonald House and other school boards in California and Washington.

"I am deeply committed to Big Brothers Big Sisters as I have seen what a tremendous impact the program has not only on the youth and their families, but the mentors as well," said Ms. Brown. "I am thrilled to be joining the talented FSW team and I know that together we can truly change the lives of young people in Westchester County."

"We are so pleased that Val Brown has stepped into this position at FSW," remarked Susan B. Wayne, President and CEO of the agency. "With her vast experience in implementing the BBBS mentoring model as well as her skills in fundraising, marketing and program operations, she is well equipped to lead the BBBS program at FSW and to ensure its continued growth and success."

Valerie Brown Joins Family Services of Westchester as Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of FSW

FSW is pleased to announce the appointment of Valerie A. Brown as Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of FSW. Ms. Brown is a College and Career Counselor who has been in private practice for over 20 years.

She has extensive corporate employment experience and has held numerous volunteer leadership roles with a focus on youth counseling, mentoring, college and career guidance.

She is deeply committed to the Big Brothers Big Sisters program, having served for over 14 years on the Board of Trustees for BBBS New York City, most recently holding the position of Vice President of the Executive Committee. Ms. Brown was responsible for creating the New York City affiliate’s summer program for inner city youth, which provides career and college guidance, direction and skills preparation. She conducted a three-year branding study for the group; and chaired numerous fundraising events.

In addition to her work with BBBS NYC, Ms. Brown currently serves on the National Board of the Family Equality Council. In the past, she has served on the Board of the School of the Holy Child in Rye, Young Audiences, Ronald McDonald House and other school boards in California and Washington.

BBBS of FSW is the Westchester affiliate of the national Big Brothers Big Sisters organization, which is the oldest and largest youth mentoring program in the United States. Operating continuously since 1958, our mission is to help children reach their full potential through professionally supported one-to-one mentoring relationships.