In Bigs & Littles NYC’s keystone mentoring program, youth ages 7-19, are carefully matched with a Big Sister or Big Brother who serves as an adviser, role model, and adult friend. Mentoring matches meet twice monthly for activities such as enjoying a show or ballgame, working together on a service project, or spending time talking and exploring NYC. Matches are supported by life skills programming, crisis intervention, family support, and referral assistance as well as a dedicated Professional Program Manager to oversee and guide the match relationship. This mentoring model has been the core of Bigs & Littles NYC Mentoring mission for over a century. Our goal is for all young people to be empowered to recognize, reach for and achieve their full potential. We know the program works: 100% of our kids avoid pregnancy, 100% avoid arrest, 93% are promoted to the next grade, 100% graduate High School and 100% matriculate into college or a training program

Jul 22, 2019

Check Out These 11 Adaptive Clothing Lines for Kids with Disabilities

Getting dressed can be one complicated endeavor too many for parents of kids with special needs, who might run into trouble when trying to fit traditional kids’ clothing over a wheelchair, leg brace, or onto a little one that doesn’t like certain fabrics or tight styles. However, these brands are making fashionable styles just as accessible for kids with disabilities through adaptive clothing that promotes comfort, independence, and inclusion. Check out these lines and start shopping!

Jul 22, 2019

Amazon’s Holiday in July Is Coming Near Union Square Next Week

Bryant Park’s Winter Village is a family classic, but Amazon is bringing a little winter wonderland to Union Square on July 25 with its Holiday in July event. The event will feature performances from several groups that kids will love, food and drink tastings, and most importantly, several Instagram-friendly spaces where you can showcase your Christmas in July spirit.

Jul 19, 2019

Two Bronx Students Awarded ESPN’s Inaugural Billie Jean King Award for Fighting Inequity in High School Sports

ESPN honored two Bronx high schoolers, Matt Diaz and Lisa Parks, with its inaugural Billie Jean King Youth Leadership Award for their success in using sports to make a positive impact on their communities at the fifth annual Sports Humanitarian Awards (ESPYs) ceremony. Matt and Lisa garnered recognition for the way they drew attention to inequities in high school access to sports for Black and Latino youth through their work with Fair Play Coalition, which works so all kids can have access to all athletic courts and fields controlled by the Department of Education.

Jul 19, 2019

Education and Tutoring: Why Kids Need the Freedom to Fail

I recently received a phone call from a parent; she was confused and concerned regarding a shift in her ten-year-old son’s approach to his schoolwork. “Jason has always loved school,” she began, “but last year he just kind of… gave up. He’s so bright and he really wants to do well – I don’t know what happened.” This, unfortunately, is a common occurrence in the world of tutoring. Many children begin their academic careers with passion and promise, only to show signs of hesitancy, and even apathy, as they near the end of elementary school. Parents are left wondering, “What happened?”

Inclusive Activities and Events for Children with Special Needs in NYC

Children with special needs, disabilities, or sensory issues can face certain challenges when it comes to connecting with peers and making friends, especially when many are uncomfortable or unable to participate in all kid-friendly activities. Here, a list of kid-friendly venues in New York City and its boroughs, including museums and the public libraries, that dedicate time and space for children with special needs and all abilities to have fun, play, and most importantly, and interact and make friends with each other.

Apr 24, 2019

5 Ways to See Dinosaurs in New York City and Beyond

Indulge your kids' dinosaur obsession this summer with any of these fun outdoor activities taking place across the Tri-State area.

Apr 26, 2019

Awesome Family Events Happening This Weekend in Nassau County

Looking to plan an awesome weekend packed with fun for the whole family? Whether you are planning a day trip in close to the New York metro area or are looking for kid-friendly fun that's close to home, we've got you covered! There’s a lot of kid-friendly family fun planned for this weekend right here in Nassau County. From concerts and performances to museum exhibits, shows, crafts activities, seasonal events, and parades, you'll find something to do that keeps the whole family having fun! Plan your weekend on Long Island with our guide that highlights the best family-friendly events happening in and around Nassau County, including family fun in and near Uniondale, Wantagh, East Meadow, Roslyn Harbor, Bellmore, Garden City, Mineola, Rockville Centre, Syosset, Westbury, Farmingdale, Hempstead, Plainview, Woodbury, and Jericho.

Jul 22, 2019

Advocates Say NYC's $8.8 Billion Plan to Address School Overcrowding Isn't Focused on the Right Fix

While the number of overcrowded schools in New York City has declined by 31 buildings since 2015, some 520,000 kids–roughly half of the city’s student population–attend schools that are oversaturated and ill-equipped to handle their student bodies. The worst overcrowding is happening in Brooklyn, Queens, and the central Bronx. Overall, there are 1.1 million students in 1,840 schools in 32 districts across the five boroughs. Some students are forced to learn in Transportable Classroom Units (TCUs), trailers placed outside main school buildings, in order to make sure there is enough space for everyone. The city has been trying to fix this problem for years.

Jul 18, 2019

Staten Island Teen With Asperger’s Gains Confidence from Competing in Miss New York USA Pageant

Kids with autism spectrum disorders who struggle with social anxiety have a new role model in the pageantry world: 19-year-old Alexandria Hodnik, who has Asperger’s syndrome and recently competed in the Miss New York USA pageant. In 2013, Asperger’s Sydrome was folded into the Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnosis, no longer being used as a standalone diagnosis. After years of struggling with communication skills, Hodnik started competing in beauty pageants to overcome her social anxiety, which helped her become more outgoing and serve as proof that a disability doesn’t have to hold anyone back.

Jul 17, 2019

How a Traditional Summer Camp Can Benefit Kids All Year Long

When kids have the experience of spending time in a traditional camp setting they are exposed to a number of different activities and challenges that can equip them with skills that will be useful far beyond the summer. Camp is a great place for kids to gain some independence and discover their sense of self. Time spent at camp in the company of counselors and other kids gives children the opportunity to recharge and get ready for the school year and even empower them to take more healthy risks when they are back at school.

Mar 06, 2018

Bigs & Littles Mentorship Program Is Now Accepting Mentee Applications

Jul 22, 2019

Amazon’s Holiday in July Is Coming Near Union Square Next Week

Jul 19, 2019

Two Bronx Students Awarded ESPN’s Inaugural Billie Jean King Award for Fighting Inequity in High School Sports

Jul 19, 2019

The Prenatal Center at Montefiore Nyack Hospital Recognizes World Breastfeeding Week by Hosting Global “Big Latch On” Event

The Prenatal Center at Montefiore Nyack Hospital is hosting a “Big Latch On” community event on Saturday, August 3, 2019 from 9:30-11:30am in support of World Breastfeeding Week (August 1-7, 2019). The Prenatal Center at Montefiore Nyack Hospital is located at 258 High Avenue in Nyack, N.Y.

Jul 18, 2019

Teachers Get 15% Off at Target Nationwide Through July 20

It’s never too early to start back to school shopping, and if you happen to be a teacher, you’re in luck! Target is offering 15% off select items for teachers nationwide in an effort to get them stocked up for the upcoming school year as part of their annual Teacher Prep Event—and not just regular schoolteachers! The discount also applies to teachers who work in daycare centers, early childhood learning centers, and home schools. Target’s Senior Vice President and General Merchandise Manager of Apparel, Accessories, and Home Jill Sando said there was a “phenomenal response” during the sale last year and teachers ended up saving millions on classroom supplies.

Jul 18, 2019