[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 1]
[Senate]
[Page 474]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




            RECOGNIZING BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF NEW YORK

 Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I rise today in honor of National 
Mentoring Month. This month we recognize the millions of Americans who 
have joined together to better the lives of others, especially our 
youth, through the gift of mentorship. The generosity and willingness 
of individuals to work together for the common good has been a hallmark 
of the American character since our Nation's founding.
  Every day volunteer organizations across the country make substantial 
contributions to our Nation by fostering a place and sense of 
mentorship. One such extraordinary organization is the Big Brothers Big 
Sisters of New York City. Founded in 1906, Big Brothers Big Sisters of 
New York City is the oldest and largest youth mentoring organization in 
the United States, serving more than 3,000 young people annually. The 
mission of Big Brothers Big Sisters of New York City is to provide 
mentors to all children who need caring adult role models. These 
mentors change the lives of New York City's youth by expanding their 
horizons and helping them to realize their potential.
  Big Brothers Big Sisters of New York City is unique in that it offers 
a variety of individualized mentoring programs that match dedicated 
mentors, or Bigs, to special populations of youth, or Littles. These 
include a New American Mentoring Program for immigrant youth, a Young 
Mothers Mentoring Program for pregnant teens or teenage mothers, an 
Incredible Kids Mentoring Program for children with a learning or 
physical disability or chronic disease, a Building Futures Mentoring 
Program for youth who are in the foster care system, and a Children of 
Promise Mentoring Program for children who have an incarcerated parent, 
sibling, or family member. Two additional special mentoring programs 
offered at Big Brothers Big Sisters of New York City that have a 
national significance are their 9/11 Together We Stand and FDNY 
Partnership Programs. These are unique mentoring programs for children 
who lost a parent or close relative in the World Trade Center attacks 
and those who lost a parent in the FDNY in the line of duty, including 
but not limited to September 11. So as you can see, Big Brothers Big 
Sisters of New York City is doing their part to ensure that all 
children have positive role models in their life no matter what their 
circumstances may be.
  National Mentoring Month highlights the need and significance of 
mentors and mentoring for individuals of all ages. From organizations 
to individuals, mentoring enriches children's education and overall 
success in life. The small investment a mentor makes in the life of a 
child exponentially increases the success of a child's future and the 
success of the community. National Mentoring Month is particularly 
significant for Big Brothers Big Sisters of New York City because it 
offers a special opportunity for the organization to raise awareness of 
the power of mentoring and recruit volunteer mentors, which are 
critical to its mission of providing children with caring adult role 
models. By upholding the principles of volunteerism and academics, we 
continue creating positive opportunities for the next generation.
  Mr. President, I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing the 
month of January as National Mentoring Month so we may continue to 
honor the important work that organizations such as Big Brothers Big 
Sisters of New York City play in making our Nation a better and more 
prosperous place.

                          ____________________