As youth crime increases across New York City, Bronx community members are stepping up to offer mentorship as a preventative solution.

Dennis Ogut, a mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters of NYC, works with 12-year-old Zaire.

The pair meets twice a month to engage in fun activities and provide guidance and support to one another.

Ogut says this type of youth mentorship is essential to breaking cycles of violence.

Zaire, an only child, appreciates the program, saying it gives him “someone to talk to and relate to.”

Youth crime has become a growing concern for families. Police sources tell News 12 that over 4,000 minors have been arrested citywide in the past year, marking a 17% increase from the year before.

The Bronx District Attorney’s office has seen 37 minors injured in shootings this year, with four of those turning fatal.

Zaire’s mother, Rochelle Johnson, says the risk of violence is a constant worry for parents, but she believes in the power of community support, stating, “It takes a village to raise a child.”

Big Brothers Big Sisters of NYC has responded by increasing Bronx membership by 600% in the past year.

Organizers hope that these mentorship connections can lead young people to a safer, brighter future.