Mentoring for children and youth is the focus of the non-profit organization Big Brother Big Sister.
Leading the New York City chapter of this organization is a Cuban-American raised in The Bronx and the city’s first woman to hold the position: Alicia Guevara.
“Sometimes I wonder why it took so long for a woman to take this seat. And I don’t have an explanation for that, but I do know the responsibility I carry,” Guevara said.
Guevara assumed the position in 2019.
He says that two women played an important role in his success.
“Starting with my mother, who believed and continues to believe in me to the fullest… my grandmother, who was the person who gave me my culture, was the person who herself taught me to appreciate who I am, not just as a woman, but as a Latina”, added Guevara.
Big Brother Big Sister pairs an adult with a young person ages 7-16 to mentor them through the different stages the young person may face, focusing on education and helping them reach their full potential.
“My main goal for this organization is that all young people in New York City will have a mentor, they will have someone who is in relationship with them, someone who can guide them,” Guevara said.
Guevara ran into one of those Big Brother, Big Sister couples at the offices.
Claire Luceri is 27 years old, she is a mentor.
Claire says it’s rewarding to be a support system for 18-year-old Jayla Saunders.
Saunders, for her part, says that Luceri helps guide her and keeps her motivated as she begins her college career. The executive director knows how important it is to have someone as an example.
“The biggest obstacle is not having had a point of reference for someone to take my place.”
Guevara, now a mother, says she works to inspire her own children, as the matriarchs in her family did, and uses that drive to impact the lives of young people in her work.
“My legacy cannot be that I was the first woman, my legacy has to be that I created opportunities and access so that others can come after me and take the seat as well.”
You can go to the web page bigsnyc.org if you want to be a mentor or if you have children and would like them to be mentored.
Guevara says the organization wants to expand its reach and impact more families in the 5 boroughs.
