VIDEO TRANSCRIPT: Mentorship program aims to combat Syracuse poverty through youth guidance
Alexandra Petro: Tony Baird and Calvin Davis love playing basketball together.
Tony Baird: Kids love sports…and who does their sports? It’s coaches.
Petro: But Baird is more than a coach. He’s a mentor to Calvin.
Baird: I knew that was God telling me it was time to do something with taking care of kids.
Petro: U.S. Census data shows that child poverty in Syracuse is up to 48% – among the highest in the nation. Two former educators- Baird and his colleague, John Bruzdzinski – are confident that mentorship through Big Brothers Big Sisters can help children in need.
John Bruzdzinski: I truly believe that I was put on this earth by God to make other people’s lives better.
Petro: Bruzdzinski- the director of Big Brothers Big Sisters in Syracuse – provides youth with opportunities to overcome poverty through mentorship.
Bruzdzinski: Most of our littles, if not all of them, come from disadvantaged circumstances. They come from statistically challenged neighborhoods.
Petro: Baird – an army veteran and business owner – says education through mentorship is a great way to give back.
Baird: I always thought that I would be a teacher and a coach for the rest of my life, because I love doing that. But I think I love giving to the community and making sure the community grows even more than that.
Petro: According to the Big Brothers Big Sisters website, 86% of mentees have improved their grades, and 75% increased feelings of family connectedness over the past five years. Bruzdzinski understands the importance of the mentor/mentee relationship in the Syracuse community.
Bruzdzinski: If we can arrange to have an adult – a caring adult – be part of the life of one of our littles, the positive outcomes are endless.
Petro: In Syracuse, Alexandra Petro. NCC News.
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC NEWS) — When Calvin Davis, 17, steps onto the basketball court with Tony Baird, he calls him “coach.” While his role as a coach is centered on guiding players in sports, Baird’s mentorship extends far beyond the court, offering life advice and support that shapes Calvin’s future. Their bond, which started with a shared love for basketball, has grown into something much deeper through their mentorship connection with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Syracuse.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Syracuse, or BBBS, plays a critical role in helping children facing adversity, offering mentorship that empowers them to build brighter futures. With 45.6% of Syracuse’s children living in poverty— the highest rate among U.S. cities with at least 100,000 people— the need for mentorship is urgent, according to CNY Vitals.
The organization pairs these children, known as “littles,” with adult mentors, or “bigs,” who serve as positive role models and offer a caring presence in their lives. Baird, an Army veteran and business owner, views mentorship as a way to give back to his community.
“I always thought that I would be a teacher and a coach for the rest of my life, because I love doing that,” Baird said. “I love giving to the community and making sure the community grows even more than that.”
For Baird, becoming a mentor was a calling, especially after hearing a radio advertisement for Big Brothers Big Sisters in Syracuse, while driving to work one day.
“I knew that was God telling me it was time to do something with taking care of kids,” he said.
Baird has developed a strong relationship with Calvin, one that goes beyond basketball. While their time on the court is meaningful, it’s Baird’s influence in Calvin’s life that makes the real difference— offering guidance and support that extends far beyond sports.
This support is particularly crucial in Syracuse, where the median household income is just $42,298—significantly lower than the state median of $80,000, according to Census Reporter. The city also has one of the highest concentrations of poverty in the nation with nearly a third of residents living below the poverty line.
John Bruzdzinski, program director at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Syracuse, works alongside Baird to make a difference in the community.
“I truly believe that I was put on this earth by God to make other people’s lives better,” Bruzdzinki said.
Mentorship is especially important in Syracuse where many children come from disadvantaged backgrounds.
“Most of our ‘littles,’ if not all of them, come from disadvantaged circumstances,” Bruzdzinski said. “They come from statistically challenged neighborhoods.”
Syracuse’s South Side, where many of these children live, faces some of the city’s highest poverty rates, with more than 60% of residents struggling to meet basic needs, according to CNY Vitals. A report from the Century Foundation found that children raised in high-poverty neighborhoods are less likely to graduate high school, attend college, or secure stable employment, making mentorship programs like BBBS even more vital.
The impact of Big Brothers Big Sisters’ mentorship is measurable. Over the past five years, roughly 86% of mentees have improved their grades, and 75% reported increased feelings of family-connectedness, according to the BBBS website. These statistics highlight the significant roles mentors play in improving the lives of young people.
Bruzdzinski believes the mentor-mentee relationship can change lives.
“If we can arrange to have an adult—a caring adult—be part of the life of one of our ‘littles,’ the positive outcomes are endless,” he said.
The need for mentorship in Syracuse remains critical, and programs like Big Brothers Big Sisters continue to provide hope for children facing adversity. Through the dedication of mentors like Baird, young people like Calvin are given the support and guidance to build brighter futures.