Phoenix police partnering with Big Brothers Big Sisters to mentor kids

PHOENIX — At-risk children in Phoenix will soon have a new pool of police mentors from which to choose.

The Phoenix Police Department is partnering with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Arizona to lend kids a kind ear or a guiding hand. Sgt. Mercedes Fortune said she is especially excited about the new program, Bigs In Blue.

“I was a benefactor of Big Sister,” she said. “I was in high school. My big sister at the time was an engineer with a gas company. It gave me the opportunity to see the world in a different view.”

Fortune said the officers benefit too.

“[It gets us] involved with our youth, and our community.”

The officers do not have to participate in the program, said Fortune. However, they’ll get the satisfaction of knowing they are helping children.

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