I was the first one in my
family to go to college. I point this out not to boast, but to make a
larger point. That is, because no one in my family was familiar with this
path, they couldn’t offer me much in the way of guidance. Love and
support I had beyond measure, but I look back at my trek through Fordham
University as a solo journey.
And so it was in law school as well. Even after I
passed the bar I had little direction, and I longed for some real-world advice
from a real-world person who knew the way, who had been down the road and back
again. It took a serendipitous meeting between my mother and a
newly-elected official to jump start my career: she asked Councilman John Fusco
to give her son a job. He accepted my resume, and one day a few months
later my phone rang and my life as an adult began.
John Fusco became my mentor on the day I walked into his
office, and I’ve often thought over the years about how much I would have
benefited from knowing him while I was still in high school; how many mistakes
might have been avoided, into how many blind alleys I wouldn’t have walked, and
how many fewer unanswered questions would have plagued me during those
angst-ridden years.
A few months back we held an event here at Borough Hall – we
called it an Evening of Mentors. Each high school in the borough sent
students whom they though would benefit from such a meeting, and we invited
professional friends of Borough Hall: lawyers, doctors, writers, artists,
cultural leaders, nurses, first responders, chefs – it was a wonderful evening
that benefited ALL participants.
We need more of this on Staten Island. There are so
many accomplished people who would like to give of their time, and so many
needy young people who need to be mentored.
That is why I was so happy to learn that Big Brothers, Big
Sisters of New York (BBBS) was opening a dedicated Staten Island office at 60
Bay Street. I met a few weeks ago with the BBBS Executive Director Hector
Batista and the Staten Island Big Sister of the Year, an inspirational young
lady named Amanda Tavarez.
Young Ms. Tavarez, 25 years old, detailed the wonderful
positive impact she has made on her “Little,” and highlighted the need for more
Staten Islanders to get involved. Mr. Batista told me of the need for
“Bigs” to meet the demands of the community – especially male Bigs. Right
now, Bigs are being asked to come to Staten Island from other boroughs, and
that is something I am determined to change. Charity begins at home - we
should be helping our own communities.
It is not a great commitment in time; if you are over the
age of 21, and can spare 8 hours a month (4 hours every two weeks), and if you
feel like giving back, you will be doing a great service to our borough.
Time to step up, Staten Island!