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The April Mentor of the Month is Brad! When Brad first considered becoming a mentor, his motivation was simple: he wanted to give back. Having had some mentorship experience in the past, he was drawn to the opportunity to make a meaningful difference through Tuesday’s Children. What began as a small intention to help has grown into a rewarding and memorable journey over the past two years. For Brad, the most impactful part of mentoring has been the relationship he’s built with his mentee, Jackson aka Jax. From the very beginning, Brad felt welcomed not just by Jackson, but by his entire family. That sense of openness and connection helped lay the foundation for a strong and supportive bond. One moment that stands out most to Brad was their first time meeting in person. What could have been a simple introduction turned into a day full of laughter and genuine connection. Spending time together with Jackson and his family made the experience feel natural and meaningful, reinforcing why mentorship matters so much. When asked what he would tell someone considering becoming a mentor, Brad keeps it straightforward: “My advice is just keep showing up. Even if at times it might not feel like it, that reliability alone can go a long way in showing your support and earning trust”. Outside of mentoring, Brad enjoys expressing his creativity through painting and staying active with Krav Maga. These passions help him maintain balance and bring energy into all areas of his life, including his role as a mentor. We're thankful for all of our volunteer mentors, and we're excited to celebrate Brad as our Mentor of the Month!

Our February Mentor of the month is Abby T.! Having moved around a lot growing up, and as an adopted only child, Abby always cherished any opportunity to feel a part of something and to build connection. She was inspired to become a mentor with Tuesday’s Children because of the incredible mentors she’s had in her life—teachers, adults, and peers—who helped shape who she is today. She wanted to pay that forward by offering guidance and being a trusted, supportive resource for someone else. “ To me, mentoring is a chance to make a meaningful difference in someone’s life, helping them build confidence, reach their potential, and know they have someone they can truly count on, ” says Abby. Abby has been mentoring Analeigh for over 6 years! She says, “The most rewarding part has been watching Analeigh grow from a little girl into a teenager. Seeing her achieve a goal she worked so hard for was incredible—she got into her dream high school and is doing so well, earning great grades. I love watching her grow, challenge herself, form her own opinions, and become someone others naturally enjoy being around.” Some of her favorite memories with Analeigh over the years include trips to the Museum of Ice Cream, the Big Apple Circus, ice skating together, and sharing their favorite hibachi meals. Abby’s advice to new mentors is to show up consistently, even in small moments, because presence matters more than perfection. Abby believes that, “ Trust is built in small moments, so be patient and reliable. Lead with kindness, listen well, and be someone they genuinely enjoy being around. When they feel safe and valued with you, the relationship can truly grow. ” Outside of mentoring, Abby loves spending time with my friends and exploring new restaurants in New York City. She enjoys biking (specifically Citibike!), barre classes, traveling, and watching sports with her fiancé. Occasionally, she likes to bring out her crafty side—one of the fun activities she and Analeigh did together was painting at Color Me Mine. We’re deeply grateful for the joy, commitment, and care that Abby brings to her mentoring relationship and we’re proud to recognize her as this month’s Mentor of the Month.

Sergeant Major Kevin Bittenbender served with the U.S. Army for 34 years and retired in September 2018. He was deployed several times in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, including combat deployments to Afghanistan. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and Combat Action Badge for his tour in Afghanistan, and his service awards include the Legion of Merit Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, and the Global War on Terrorism Medal. As a result of his combat deployment and burn pit exposures, Sergeant Major Bittenbender underwent several surgeries that resulted in the amputation of his left leg. Kevin currently coaches with the U.S. Paralympic Nordic/Biathlon Team and coached at the 2024 Invictus Games in Vancouver, British Columbia. He enjoys running, cross-country skiing, and handcycling marathons and competes in skeleton and bobsled. He continues to mentor fellow amputees at Walter Reed Medical Center, supporting others navigating physical and emotional recovery. He is deeply committed to mental health advocacy and veteran support, including co-founding Joint Task Force 22 to Zero, a program dedicated to helping veterans and first responders with PTSD, traumatic brain injury, and suicide prevention — and he regularly speaks publicly on breaking stigma and encouraging others to seek help when needed. He is currently the Director of Military Affairs for Pocono Raceway, where he assists NASCAR with promoting and supporting Veteran and Gold Star organizations. Kevin has helped expand initiatives like Veterans Village, Gold Star Family experiences, and pre-race ceremonies that honor service members and their families. Kevin is married to his wife, Molly, and has a daughter, Kaitlyn.

The March Mentor of the Month is Laurene! Laurene is no stranger to having her days filled with activities centered around young people as she raised her two sons. Now that they’re grown and flown, mentoring felt like a natural next chapter. “I very much enjoy spending time with young adults,” she says. “I absolutely learn more from them than they do from me!” That open mindset shapes the way she shows up as a mentor with Tuesday’s Children.   For the last several months, Laurene has been matched with her mentee, Ava, and the two have settled into an easy, genuine friendship. They’ve taken an art class, gotten their nails done, played in the leaves, shared dinners, and squeezed in plenty of games and laughs. The activities are fun, but it’s the conversation that really stands out . “There never seems to be a moment when we don’t have something to talk about,” Laurene shares. “She’s very open and I enjoy her conversations.”   What Laurene loves most about mentoring isn’t a big milestone moment, it’s the steady connection that builds over time. Just showing up, being consistent, and sharing everyday experiences has created a bond that feels natural and meaningful. Her advice for new mentors is simple: “Be yourself. The more authentic you can be, the better connection you will foster with your mentee.” She believes young people can spot anything less than real from a mile away, and that honesty is what creates trust.  When she’s not mentoring, Laurene stays busy exploring new places, hiking local trails, and antiquing for hidden treasures. She loves history and thinking about how the past shapes the future. Right now, she’s pouring that passion into renovating a 1920s farmhouse, an adventure she knows will keep her busy for quite a while.  Laurene approaches mentoring with curiosity and warmth by being present, sharing a few laughs, and building a connection that goes both ways with her mentee Ava. We’re so thankful for Laurene and excited to recognize her as our March Mentor of the Month!

Our January Mentor of the month is Matt M.! Matt joined Tuesday’s Children to give back in a way that created real impact. He joined our program in order to support families who have served our country; and his match with Daniel has quickly become something special. Some of Matt’s favorite moments with Daniel are the simplest ones: throwing a football back and forth, pretending to be professional players, and celebrating Daniel’s impressive one-handed catches. They’ve also shared memorable experiences like attending a Texas Stars hockey game sponsored by Tuesday’s Children, one of many new adventures that have helped Daniel try things he hadn’t before. “The interactions with Daniel (and his family!) have truly been a blessing for me,” Matt shares. “He’s smart, considerate, and always wanting to learn. It’s so rewarding to see him smile, laugh, and just be the kid he was meant to be.”

This month, we’re proud to highlight Sam, whose steady presence, thoughtful conversations, and genuine heart have made a meaningful impact in his mentoring relationship with Myles. Sam was inspired to become a mentor because he wanted to give back in a way that created real, personal impact. He hoped to show up consistently, offer encouragement, and be someone Myles could count on - and he’s done exactly that. For Sam, the most rewarding part of mentoring has been watching Myles’ confidence and trust grow over time. He says some of his favorite memories aren’t tied to big activities at all, but to the moments when conversation takes an unexpected turn and Myles feels comfortable opening up. Those small, honest exchanges have become the heart of their connection. When asked what advice he would offer new mentors, Sam keeps it simple: be consistent, be patient, be genuine. Listen well and show up. “Be a steady presence,” he says. “The relationship builds from there.” Outside of mentoring, Sam enjoys fitness, golfing, traveling, spending time with family, and getting outdoors whenever he can . Thank you, Sam, for your commitment, your authenticity, and the incredible support you’ve shown Myles. We’re grateful to have you in the Tuesday's Children community!

This year, Tuesday's Children teamed up with 9/11 Day to create and distribute care packages to surviving 9/11 first responders during the Rise Up & Remember Volunteer Days on September 9th and 10th. Buoyed by our commitment to never forget those we lost and those who answered the call to serve on 9/11 and in the years since, Tuesday's Children gathered 46 volunteers to assemble and write heartfelt notes of gratitude and encouragement for each package. One volunteer was especially drawn to the note writing; having lost a close friend on 9/11, writing messages to first responders currently battling 9/11-related illnesses gave him a chance to honor his friend's legacy. Special thanks go to Tuesday's Children Board Directors and Tradeweb employees, John Cahalane and Fred Strobel, and Kelly Sprotte, Director of Employee Engagement at Tradeweb, for supporting this project and volunteering their time along with fellow Tradeweb employees and other volunteers at Tradeweb offices in Jersey City, NJ and Garden City, NY. Filled with necessities and comfort, the care packages were distributed to 100 first responders at the Annual 9/11 Naming Ceremony in Nesconset, NY on September 13th, 2025. This annual event, held at 9/11 Responders Remembered Park with support from the FealGood Foundation, honors and remembers the responders who have lost their lives to 9/11-related illnesses, adding their names to the memorial. Becky Rossman, CEO of Tuesday's Children, joined the volunteers and attended the Annual 9/11 Naming Ceremony. Noting the commitment of the community even so many years after 9/11, "We couldn’t do this work without our volunteers and donors. As new names are added to the wall, we are reminded that our mission continues, and we remain committed to keeping the promise to the 9/11 community."