Contact: Colleen Roche (212) 788-2958 or Nydia Negron (212) 788-9364
The New York Volunteer for Youth Campaign is an ambitious mentoring program for at-risk young people created by a coalition of youth-serving organizations which includes Big Brothers/Big Sisters, the Children's Aid Society, Covenant House, Graham Windham Services for Families and Children and the Madison Square Boys and Girls Club. This year the Campaign plans to recruit an additional 5,000 adult volunteers to become mentors in one-on-one youth mentoring programs run by the member organizations. This is the largest sustained volunteer campaign in the nation and the first time that the City's youth agencies have come together to accept a common set of standards for volunteers to work, one on one, with youth in trouble. The entire program is being funded with private donations.
"Since its inception in January 1995, 2,200 children have been paired with mentors. These are 2,200 relationships that will affect both child and mentor for the rest of their lives," said Mayor Giuliani. "Over the next year, the Campaign hopes to create 5,000 more mentor relationships.
"By fostering these relationships, the program is helping some of our most vulnerable children to grow and develop into productive adults. Young people need a positive force in their lives and one of the most helpful influences a child can have is a role model," concluded the Mayor.
Deputy Mayor for Education and Human Services Ninfa Segarra said, "Role models make growing up a little easier; and our volunteer groups have been instrumental in forming these mentor relationships which have given children an opportunity to set goals for themselves. I urge all New Yorkers to join us in this worthy and rewarding initiative."
Bob Moss said, "Historically, parents and teachers have served as the best role models for young people. But in the 1990's some kids need more help and schools can not always fill the void. That is why we formed this coalition of youth-serving organizations to help young people who need positive adult role models in their lives. It is so easy for young people to get involved with drugs, violence, crime and teen pregnancy, which often causes them to drop out of school. We are confident that this Campaign will be able to help such a large number of youngsters."
The Campaign will recruit volunteers and then assign them to different member organizations. Adult volunteers will be screened and trained before being accepted into the program. They will be asked to commit themselves for at least one year and be required to spend a minimum of four hours a month with the young person assigned to them.
It is estimated that there are approximately 250,000 New York City children who are at risk because they are having problems in school and are getting involved with crime and drugs. A recent study of young people in New York's Big Brothers/Big Sisters program found that nearly more than 80 percent of troubled youth who participate in one-on-one mentoring programs did better in school, had better relations with their parents and peers and improved their self esteem. Each young person is matched with a trained, qualified and caring adult role model.
Attending the breakfast at Gracie Mansion today were young people and volunteer mentors who are currently participating in mentoring programs sponsored by member organizations.
The toll-free number for people who want to become volunteers is: 1-800-83 YOUTH or 1-800-839-6884.