End the Year with Big Impact

At just 14, Jason, a Kenyan-American teen, has big dreams—but like so many of our Littles, he also faces real challenges. His mom, Hazel, is a survivor of cancer and domestic violence. Today, she and Jason live in a Manhattan transitional housing facility. When Jason began struggling with social anxiety and ADHD, Hazel reached out to Bigs & Littles NYC. She wanted something more than therapy—something positive, engaging, and life-changing.

Since his parents’ separation and ongoing divorce, Jason’s father has been less present. Hazel knew her son needed a consistent male role model—someone who could help him build confidence, discover new interests, and develop friendships.

That’s when Henry entered Jason’s life.

Henry grew up on the island of St. Croix with his parents and four siblings, later attending William & Mary for college and business school. Now 30, living in Washington Heights and working in data analytics, Henry was looking for a deeper way to give back. Having mentored students before, he was drawn to Bigs & Littles NYC for the chance to make a lasting difference in one young person’s life.

"When we first met, Jason was reserved and anxious," Henry recalls. "He wore a mask on our early outings as a coping mechanism. So I opened up first—asking questions, sharing, and making space for him. A year later, Jason is more confident. He no longer wears the mask. He’s opening up about school, friendships, even current events. That kind of trust takes time, but it’s incredible to witness."

Together, Jason and Henry have played basketball, explored museums, shared meals, and spent hours at Dave & Buster’s. Jason has set goals—improving in school, eating healthier, spending more time with friends, and strengthening his communication skills. With Henry’s encouragement, he is already making progress.

Hazel has noticed the difference, too: "The highlight of the program is the awesome events they offer for mentors, mentees, and parents. My son's social anxiety has really, really improved. Jason is more comfortable meeting new people and speaks positively about his future." She also credits Bigs & Littles with connecting them to tutoring services that have supported Jason academically. Meanwhile, Hazel herself is pursuing her certification as an Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor, working toward a brighter future for them both.

Henry knows what a steady, caring presence can mean: “A mentor relationship can truly shift how a young person sees themselves and their future. Positive encouragement, consistent support—just showing up—goes a long way. When we contribute to our communities, we don’t just change a life—we strengthen the entire community.”