Download a PDF - Big Brothers Big Sisters of New York City

Scoring a touchdown
Moses and James
“Being a Big Brother has
changed me in every way
possible,” exclaims James, a
video editor and producer who
was matched with Moses, an
11-year-old in the Children of
Promise Mentoring Program.
“I was post grad, with no real
responsibilities. Being a Big
meant a mental commitment
— not just to show up on
time, but to plan an activity,
schedule it with Moses,
call him regularly… it was
life changing.”
When James and Moses
were matched in June of 2011,
their outgoing personalities
enabled them to hit it off
quickly. They tried a new
activity during each of their
outings, from theme parks
to movies to indoor gyms,
enjoying each other’s company
and a chance to play. Over time, the relationship
grew from fun and friendly to a more meaningful
connection that allowed Moses to become
comfortable sharing his emotions and taking
advice. His school performance improved,
along with his self-confidence and ability to
relate to new people, according to his mother,
Maria. “James has done so much for us just by
being around and making Moses laugh. He got
to be a kid again through the program.”
Turning a passion for BBBS into
a passion for fundraising
Both James and Maria take the opportunity to
recommend BBBS of NYC because they feel
the program has benefited Moses as well as
themselves. This year James trained for a halfmarathon
to raise money for the organization.
Despite spraining his ankle during training and
getting sick just a week before the event, he
persevered because he knew how important it
was for Moses, the organization and himself.
“I never had the drive before,” he admits.
Although he had never fundraised in his life,
his desire to help BBBS of NYC motivated him
to reach out to people and spread the word.
The positive feedback he received from friends,
colleagues and even strangers was incredible,
and he raised several thousand dollars for his
participation in the race.
Moving an audience
and a football star
James and Moses were featured speakers at
the 2012 Sidewalks of New York event, sharing
their story about how their match has been
such a positive influence on both of their lives.
The audience was captivated.
Also moved by their speech was NY Jets
Cornerback Darrelle Revis, to whom the two
presented the BBBS of NYC Sports Award.
Revis commended James and the other Bigs
who take time out of their own busy lives to
put time into
somebody else’s
life and “do the
right thing.”
Revis told the
crowd that he
also grew up with
a single mother
in a tough town
and as the oldest
child, needed to
be a role model
to his own younger siblings. He learned that
you “always have to set an example because
you never know who is watching. Having
siblings look up to me made me grow up a little
faster. It made me look at the things I was doing
in my life and try to change, so that I could be
the right person for them and also for myself.”
After the event, Revis tweeted out to his more
than 300,000 followers, “Just left the Big
Brothers Big Sisters event. I had a great time
hangin’ out with ‘lil’ brother Moses.”
Maria, mother
“James
has done
so much for us just
by being around
and making Moses
laugh. He got to
be a kid
again…”
9