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Meet Denise...
A fiercely devoted mom who will do whatever it takes to help her children thrive. A Brooklyn native and survivor of domestic abuse, she’s raising four children on the Lower East Side and is determined to give them the support, stability, and opportunities they deserve. Living without their fathers’ daily presence, Denise wanted her children to have consistent, positive adults in their lives - she turned to Bigs & Littles NYC Mentoring after seeing the difference a mentor made for her niece. She hoped her sons, Shaleek and Nazair, would build stronger communication and social skills, learn patience with each other, and explore new interests. When her eight-year-old daughter, Emorie, saw the relationships her brothers were building with their Bigs, she wanted a mentor of her own, too. And Denise already knows that when her youngest baby, Dominic, is old enough, they’ll be next.
Shaleek: Finding his voice
Energetic, outgoing, and obsessed with basketball, Shaleek dreams of becoming a journalist. His Big, David, a New York native, former assistant basketball coach, and comedy producer, connected with him on the court and encouraged his love of writing by gifting him a notebook to document their adventures. Over two years, they’ve learned to listen more closely and ask better questions. Now, when Shaleek faces challenges with friends, he turns to David for guidance.
Nazair: Growing at his own pace
Quiet and observant, Nazair needs time to feel comfortable in new situations. At previous schools, he struggled without the support he needed, faced bullying, and was held back a grade. Now, with a smaller class, counseling, and additional support, he’s thriving - even with a one-hour bus ride each way. His Big, Luca, an analyst in the Mayor’s Office of Management and Budget, understood that trust takes time. Through basketball, bowling, and agency events, Luca patiently helped Nazair come out of his shell. At their one-year anniversary, they celebrated their progress and set new goals, including exploring future career paths.
Emorie: Discovering new possibilities
Lively, chatty, and full of personality, eight-year-old Emorie was eager to meet her Big Sister. Her match with Grace came at a pivotal moment: earlier this year, Emorie’s father was incarcerated, changing a routine in which she had seen him regularly. They still talk by phone, and he has begun writing her letters. Now, building her writing skills has a deeply personal purpose: writing back. Though nervous at their first meeting, Emorie quickly welcomed Grace by giving her a tour of the neighborhood, including her favorite playground and pizza shop. Today, they explore new parks and neighborhoods together, and Emorie keeps a journal of their adventures. Three children.
Big Brother David & Little Brother Shaleek
Big Brother Luca & Little Brother Nazair
Big Sister Grace & Little Sister Emorie
Three Bigs. One Mom. A Stronger Family Support System.
Through professionally supported, one-to-one mentoring, Shaleek, Nazair, and Emorie are building confidence, discovering new possibilities, and finding trusted adults in their corner. And Denise has a wider community of support as she raises her family. Your generosity makes these relationships possible. Bigs & Littles NYC Mentoring connects children and families with caring volunteer mentors and provides the guidance and support they need to thrive.