In New York City, the issues children face can be as
diverse as the population itself. But Hector Batista recognizes that the need
for positive adult role models is universal – transcending age, gender,
education, ethnicity and socioeconomic status. As the Executive Director
of Big Brothers Big Sisters of New York City, the Brooklyn-native and father of
two leads an organization dedicated to providing caring mentors to over 3,000
city children each year.
When Batista was
growing up, his parents imparted the desire to help others, which led him to a
successful career in non-profit leadership, holding positions with The Way to
Work—a youth workforce development program—and The American Cancer Society
before taking on his current role. “I’ve always felt a duty to serve and to be
someone who can make the world a little bit better,” he says. “I think I get
the most satisfaction in the work I do now, because everyday I get out there,
I’m making a difference in a young person’s life.”
While he was
fortunate enough to have grown up in a supportive, two-parent household,
Batista recognizes that many NYC children do not share his experience and he wants
Big Brothers Big Sisters to help fill that void. The organization’s targeted
volunteer and mentoring programs are aimed at young people facing societal
challenges such as being new immigrants, teen mothers or having incarcerated
parents. Children are paired in one-on-one relationships with adults who can
give them the guidance and support they need to beat the odds.
In his role,
Batista hopes to increase the number of children served by Big Brothers Big
Sisters and to continue to respond to their specific needs. He would also like
to boost the number of male volunteers, particularly in the Bronx and Queens. After all, it’s not just doctors,
lawyers and experienced professionals who can be mentors.
“What makes a
good mentor is someone who is reliable, who can expose [the mentee] to
different things,” Batista explains. He’s not as concerned about what’s on a
person’s resume as much as their commitment to the BBBS relationship. And he
encourages anyone who wants to make a difference in a child’s life to consider
volunteering.
“Some of the
mistakes you made or lessons you’ve learned in life can be used to help someone
else,” Batista says. In fact, most “Bigs”—as the mentors are affectionately called—find
they get as much or more out of the relationship than their mentee.
Though he’s
charged with enriching the lives of kids all over the city, Batista prioritizes
his own children—Gian, his 20-year-old son and Katrina, his 16-year-old daughter.
“I went to all
of their activities growing up,” Batista recalls. “I really wanted to be
involved in their lives.”
And for the past
10 years, he’s cleared his calendar for a standing Thursday night dinner date
with his daughter.
“I have a job I
love and two wonderful kids,” he says. “I think I’m blessed.”
To learn more
about how you can get involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters of New York City, visit bigsnyc.com.
