In Westchester County, 90 children are currently waiting for something simple yet life changing: a consistent adult who shows up.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Westchester & Putnam has spent decades building one-to-one mentoring relationships that help young people feel supported, confident and seen. As of January 2026, demand for mentors continues to grow, not because people don’t care, but because many don’t realize how attainable becoming a mentor really is.
“Many potential volunteers hesitate because they worry they don’t have enough time or that they don’t have ‘what it takes,’” said CEO Ann Ellsworth. “But the reality is the time commitment is just four to six hours a month, and mentorship comes very naturally.”
Those few hours can have a large impact. According to the organization’s most recent impact report, 100 percent of Little’s go on to college, vocational school or a paying job. Youth in the program report improved school engagement, greater confidence in problem-solving, and a reduced likelihood of engaging in substance abuse.
But beyond the statistics, mentoring is about human connection, something Heather P. of Cortlandt Manor understands deeply.
Heather became a Big in 2017 after losing her brother Stephen at the age of 26. “I often wondered how his life might have been different if he’d had a mentor, someone to guide, listen, and simply be there,” she said. Becoming a Big felt like a way to honor his memory while offering that support to someone else.”
She was matched with her Little, Athena, and what began as a mentorship quickly grew into something more. “What began as a mentorship became a deeper friendship, and now she feels like family,” Heather shared. “Being part of her life, and having her in mine, has been an absolute gift.”
Their time together isn’t about grand gestures. Mentoring often looks like painting classes, nature walks, cooking meals, or simply talking. “It’s not about planning the perfect activity,” Heather said. “It’s about creating space where she feels seen, heard, and accepted for exactly how she is.”
That idea, that presence matters more than perfection, is the heart of the program. “What Littles need most is consistency,” Ellsworth said. “Mentoring isn’t about elaborate outings. It’s the simple moments that build trust and help young people envision new possibilities for themselves.”
Right now, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Westchester & Putnam has a strong need for both male and female mentors, particularly male Bigs of color, to reflect the diversity of the children waiting to be matched. Programs are designed to meet families where they are, including community-based mentoring, site-based programs in schools and Big Futures, which supports older teens as they prepare for life after high school.
For Heather, the decision to become a Big has shaped her life in unexpected ways. “You don’t have to be perfect to be a mentor, you just have to be present,” she said. “I signed up hoping to make a difference in someone else’s life, and I ended up gaining a relationship that shaped mine.”
Those small consistent moments add up, for Littles, for mentors, and for the community as a whole. For Westchester residents looking to give back in a meaningful way, becoming a Big may be one of the simplest ways to make a lasting difference.
PHOTO: Big CEO
CAPTION: CEO Ann Elsworth says the commitment is just four to six hours a month, and mentorship comes very naturally. Photo supplied
PHOTO: Big CEO and Brother
CAPTION: Big Brothers Big Sisters has a strong need for both male and female mentors, particularly male Bigs of color, to reflect the diversity of the children waiting to be matched. Photo supplied
