Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County & The Inland Empire

Creating and supporting mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of the next generation.

Big Brothers Big Sisters is the nation’s largest and oldest mentoring organization. Since 1904, we have operated under the belief that inherent in every child is incredible potential. Our mentoring model was created on the premise of youth equity and empowerment, designed to meet kids where they are at and empower them with the social capital and skills to transform their lives and their communities. We create and professionally-support mentoring connections between volunteers (Bigs) and youth (Littles), ages 6 through young adulthood (24), that provide a direct, measurable, and lasting impact on their lives. The youth we serve face increased risks, from academic struggles to mental health concerns, but with the right support, they don’t just overcome barriers—they thrive.

Established in 1958, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County and the Inland Empire has helped tens of thousands of youth facing adversity realize their potential and build a brighter future. Through mentorship, we are aiming to reduce the number of disconnected youth in Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties and build a future-proof workforce with the potential to change the world. To learn more about the organization, visit: www.ocbigs.org or www.iebigs.org.

Accomplishments:
1) We impacted 4,153 youth in Orange County, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties in FY25.
2) 98% of students who participate in our programs graduate high school on time (California average: 86%), and 92% will be the first in the family to go to college.
3) Our school-based mentoring programs have grown exponentially over the last three years. The number of youth impacted by High School Bigs has increased 65%, while our youth impacted by our Workplace Mentoring Program has increased 220%!

Top goals for the future:
1) Emphasis on Wraparound Support: To ensure that every child, family, and mentor in our program has access to the resources, guidance, and opportunities they need to thrive.
2) Emphasis on Character Development and Social Emotional Learning (SEL): Mentored youth will show improvement in education and human development.
3) Emphasis on Access, Belonging, and Opportunity: No matter their background, experiences, circumstances, or needs, we are committed to ensuring​ every young person has a positive mentor.​ Recognizing and valuing who they are, where they live and how they connect, we create access to resources, people, and opportunities that meet young people where they are.​​

We need:
1) More Volunteer Mentors—Especially Males: With hundreds of youth on our waitlist across Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties, our biggest need is for qualified, adult role models that will volunteer at least a year of their time. We particularly need male mentors, as 80% of the youth on our waitlist are boys. We provide the training, resources and support necessary for each match to succeed.

2) More Community Partnerships: Beyond 1:1 mentoring match support, we also offer our families and volunteers a full range of wraparound support systems through our Youth & Family Impact Department, such as College & Career Support and Physical/Mental/Financial Health Resources. We are in need of ongoing collaboration and partnerships with local school districts, higher education, and community resource partners.

3) More Program Support: We provide professional support and match relationship supervision to every Big, Little, and family we serve. We offer training, oversight and advice to ensure child safety, improve socio-emotional support, and to help youth receive appropriate academic and/or career tutoring. We are equipping our case management, mentors with resources, and tools to help turn educational success into lifelong success.

We are proud to serve youth in 87% of the cities in Orange County and the Inland Empire, including every city in Orange County, and metro Riverside County and San Bernardino County (Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga, Colton, Chino, Moreno Valley, Fontana, Rialto, Redlands, Upland and San Bernardino).

ADr. Vivek H. Murthy, U.S. Surgeon General, reports that “one in two adults in America reported experiencing loneliness.” This epidemic of isolation significantly impacts social, emotional, and behavioral well-being and even harms physical health. Yet, there is hope.

We can mend the social fabric of our nation by fostering connections that bring us closer together. At Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County and the Inland Empire, mentorship provides a lifeline, especially for the most vulnerable youth. Many of those we serve come from low-income, single-parent homes and lack positive role models. Through mentorship, we offer them crucial social connections, guiding them toward positive choices, academic success, and career opportunities. Mentors, in turn, find fulfillment and purpose in giving back.

We’re proud to be California’s largest mentorship organization, continuously evolving to meet the needs of our community. Our High School Bigs program, where high school students mentor younger peers, is one of our fastest-growing initiatives. We’re also expanding our Workplace Mentoring program, connecting young adults with corporate mentors to explore careers and build social capital. Recognizing that mentorship thrives when families are stable, we’ve introduced a family resource support system to connect families with essential services—from financial aid to mental health resources—alongside college and career support to help our youth achieve long-term success.

None of this would be possible without our supporters. The barriers to volunteerism are real, but with your support, we can overcome them. We are deeply grateful for your partnership in championing mentorship.