In honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, the Bronx Volunteer Coalition (BxVC) hosted a literary day on Saturday, Jan 18 at the Bronx Museum of the Arts.
BxVC is a member based coalition of nearly 30 organizations serving the Bronx. It was created in 2013 to increase volunteerism. Big Brothers Big Sisters of NYC is the founding member and lead organization of the Coalition.
“Big Brothers Big Sisters of NYC is currently facing what we call a mentoring gap in the Bronx, where 29% of the children we serve reside in the Bronx, but just 5% of our mentors do. The Bronx Volunteer Coalition is going to help us close this gap,” says Michael Coughlin, Chief Quality Assurance Officer of Big Brothers Big Sisters of NYC.
Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr, spoke to the over 5o participants at the event about the importance of volunteer work and mentoring programs. He commended the work of Big Brothers Big Sisters of NYC and presented them with a proclamation recognizing January 2014 “NYC Mentoring Month in the Bronx”.
Kevin Dunn conducted an interactive puzzle workshop in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Barhynn Johnson, Corporate and Individual Volunteers Coordinator at LiteracyINC, read “Martin’s Big Words” by Doreen Rappaport.
Children made book marks and each left with a free book and tote bag from the Bronx Volunteer Coalition.
For more information on the Coalition, please visit www.bxvc.org. Posted on the site are over 50 volunteer opportunities, a variety of ways for you to get involved in the Bronx. Some of the opportunities are long term, and others are one day events.
As volunteerism increases in other boroughs, let us not forget the needs of the Bronx. Together we can create change, but it does involve commitment and dedication from volunteers. If you are interested in giving back, please visit the site and register – it is transforming!
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