2019 Mentee Graduation

Legislator Low-Hogan: ‘We Are Beholden To The Staff & Volunteers Who Help Make This Important Youth Program Work’

Seven Program Graduates Headed To College, Military Service

New City, NY (June 10, 2019) – The Rockland County Legislature hosted this year’s graduation ceremony for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Rockland County, honoring seven mentees and their volunteer mentors for their accomplishments.

“We are beholden to the staff and volunteers who help make Big Brothers Big Sisters one of Rockland County’s most impressive organizations,” Legislator Nancy Low-Hogan said. “Through the work of Big Brothers Big Sisters, local youth have the opportunity to work with volunteer mentors and together, they help mold a better future for the mentees.”

Among those joining Legislator Low-Hogan for the graduation ceremony were Legislature Chairman Toney L. Earl and Big Brothers Big Sisters’ President & CEO Gillian Ballard and Board of Directors Chairman Lee Roberts.

This year’s honorees:

Each mentee thanked their mentor and the program, and it was announced that six of the mentees are headed to college in the fall, while one is enlisting in the U.S. Air Force.

Joshua thanked his former Big Sister, Patricia, who passed away several years ago, but who had introduced Joshua to her husband, Peter.

“I learned a lot of my manners from them,” Joshua said. “They taught me a lot. I’m very thankful for this program because they offered me a second family and they offered me a bond that I’ll treasure for as long as I live.”

Peter LaCombe, Joshua’s Big Brother, expressed mutual thoughts.

“My wife used to have an expression, ‘If you want to get love, give love,’ and that’s the essence of this,” LaCombe said. “We’ve certainly as a family gotten as much out of this as we gave. We gave enough, but we got a lot more back.”

Big Brothers Big Sisters is a one-to-one relationship program that allows children to build trusting friendships, engage in meaningful conversations and activities, and to realize their self-worth and potential – all with the help of their adult mentors, who act as positive role models.

Youth who participate in the mentoring program do better in school and in their relationships with family and friends, and are less likely to use illegal drugs or alcohol, according to a study by Public/Private Ventures, a Philadelphia-based national research organization.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Rockland County pairs a volunteer mentor with a youth between the ages of 6 and 18 who is facing adversity. They share simple low-cost or no-cost outings allowing them time to get to know each other and to converse.

In the case of Shelby and her mentor, Melissa Morales, activities included taking Shelby to her very first concert (Bruno Mars) and her very first roller coaster ride (“Scary as heck,” Shelby said.). They also included having Shelby attend her wedding a couple of years ago.

“It’s been a great experience to see her grow up and become a woman,” Morales said. “She’s been through a lot and just to be here for her, and I’ll always be here for her no matter what.”

Mentors also thanked the mothers and families of the mentees for allowing them to be mentors to their children. Many family members attended the ceremony.

“Mentorship works everyone,” said Big Sister Gail  “I’m preaching to the choir, but it absolutely works.”