When Anna Maria Smeraldi met her mentee-to-be, Kiara, she immediately recognized their shared experience as “just two girls raised in Queens.” As they built up their relationship over time, going from short conversations and highly planned, structured outings to open discussions and spontaneous meet-ups, their bond strengthened and they became like sisters and confidantes. Today, the two Queens natives can’t imagine life without each other.
Anna Maria, a 32-year-old educator and first-generation American born and raised in Queens, has always been passionate about her home and advocating for young people. Growing up, she felt mentored by her teachers and was inspired to do the same for the next generation. She decided to become a mentor with Bigs & Littles NYC Mentoring, where she soon met Kiara.
Through the years, Anna Maria and Kiara have tried many new foods and activities together, from hunting for the best macarons to horseback riding (Anna Maria’s personal favorite) to going on a boat tour of the city. The two have similar backgrounds — both grew up in lower-income, Latino immigrant households — and Anna Maria sees a lot of herself and her mother in Kiara and her mother, Dora. And yet, their life experiences and perspectives are quite different. In fact, for Anna Maria, the most beautiful thing she’s learned from Kiara (alongside patience and understanding) is how she sees the world and takes on everything around her.
Whether Kiara needs a listening ear, a shoulder to lean on, or just someone to hang out and grab food with, Anna Maria is there for her. When Kiara's older brother passed away, Anna Maria supported her and her family by making space for grief, creating opportunities for positive distractions, and providing relaxing or creative outlets for the children. Recently, Anna Maria helped Kiara and Dora with Kiara’s high school applications; in February, Kiara was accepted to a high school that they’re all excited about! Anna Maria’s support and care extends even to the most lighthearted of things — after Kiara tried macarons for the first time and loved them, they embarked on a years-long hunt for the best macarons in the city.
Anna Maria and Kiara have now been matched for six years. Their mentoring relationship has evolved into a deep, sisterly connection, and the two see each other as bona fide family. According to Anna Maria, “it just feels right.”
Anna Maria was a nominee for the 2024 MENTOR of the Year Awards. If you are interested in mentoring, you can explore opportunities here.
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