A group of Bronx kids are getting some big-time mentors Friday as part of a new program.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of New York City is kicking off its “Bigs in Blue” police mentoring program with cops from the 44th Precinct and students from the Rafael Hernandez Dual Language Magnet School with a school assembly.
The program matches 20 neighborhood cops with 20 students for monthly meetings to discuss matters such as career goals and how to plan for the future.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of NYC’s CEO Hector Batista said the program will grow to other schools in the coming months.
“From their tremendous work ethic to their exceptional leadership skills, NYPD officers are ideally suited for being mentors,” Batista said. “We look forward to expanding upon the Bigs in Blue initiative to reach more children.”
Rafael Hernandez Principal Sergio Caceres said students at his school will certainly gain from their mentorships with police officers.
“We are thrilled,” Caceres said. “Our students will benefit tremendously from having community leaders as their mentors.”
City school officials have rolled out a number of programs to build relationships between students and cops under Mayor de Blasio. In “Team Up! Tuesday,” police from 70 precincts visited 150 high schools in April for meetings with students and staff.
