Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County & The Inland Empire
PROGRAMS
Community Based Mentoring
The Community program is our traditional mentoring model and our most flexible, designed for matches who want to form a meaningful one-on-one relationship. In this program, adult mentors (Bigs) are matched with youth ages 6-16 (Littles) and meet up two times per month for low-cost activities out in the community, such as going to a park, talking about life over a slice of pizza, or attending a BBBS-sponsored Match Event. The goal is to provide consistent, positive mentorship that helps Littles build confidence, set goals, and make positive life choices. This program allows matches to choose how and when they spend time together, fostering a natural, long-term bond. Beyond the one-to-one mentoring relationship, Bigs, Littles and families are connected to a Match Support Specialist—who provides ongoing match support to help foster a safe, rewarding, and impactful relationship—and have access to free trainings, match events, peer support groups, community and college/career resources, and more!
2024 Youth Outcome Survey Results for Community-Based Mentees:
1) 93% of youth maintained or improved higher educational expectations, particularly a greater likelihood of graduating high school and attending postsecondary education.
2) 92% of youth saw improvements in problem solving, emotional understanding, cooperation, and self-control.
3) 90% reported they are less likely to engage in risky behaviors, including bullying, crime, substance use and misconduct.
4) 79% had fewer excused absences.
High School Bigs School Based Mentoring
High School Bigs is designed for high school students to be trained as mentors to children attending Title I elementary schools identified by teachers and counselors as needing mentoring support. Program staff provide support curriculum targeted towards socio-emotional growth, academic success, and health/wellness. High School Bigs is a free, after-school program and is carried out in partnership with elementary schools, youth mentors from high schools, meeting together in 36 weekly sessions. This is a dual-impact program, as the high school volunteers are trained in leadership and youth advocacy to better address challenges in their community by learning to become mentors. Mentors also receive college and career resources. We currently provide the High School Bigs program within the three counties in 17 school districts and 48 sites.
In 2024, our Youth Outcome Survey results for our High School Bigs Mentees: 1) 80%+ of youth maintained or improved higher educational expectations, particularly a greater likelihood of graduating high school and attending postsecondary education. 2) 80%+ of youth maintained or improved social behavior skills and emotional regulation. 3) 90%+ of youth maintained or improved levels of “parental trust,” associated with lower levels of juvenile delinquency. 4) 85%+ reported they are less likely to engage in risky behaviors, including bullying, crime, substance use and misconduct.
Sports Buddies
Sports Buddies is centered around agency-facilitated group outings focused on sports and similar activities. It emphasizes the significance of physical activity for a healthy lifestyle, stress relief and mental health support, and meaningful connections to improve youth development, expose youth to different activities, and provide supportive services. Provides a wide-range of indoor and outdoor activities for underserved youth in Orange County, improve mental health for underserved youth, and fosters social cohesion by strengthening the sense of community, breaking down barriers between different age groups and socioeconomic backgrounds.
1) 85%+ attendance rate
Workplace School Based Mentoring
Workplace Mentoring is a recommended 3-year partnership with corporations and young adults. In this program, low-income students are matched with corporate mentors for 10 months during the school year. Strong emphasis is placed on college and career preparation and soft skills. Current and past partners are PIMCO (Women in Finance), Edwards Lifesciences (STEM), OC Fair, St. Joseph's Hospital, Disney, Banc of California, Citizens Business Bank, Keenan & Associates, Google, Golden State Foods, JP Morgan Chase and Ingram Micro.
In 2024, 96%+ of mentees report their mentor helped them understand their interests, skills, strengths, and relate them to career choices; 86% of mentees feel their mentor is a good match for them; 98% of mentees report feeling prepared for future jobs or further educational pursuits; and 90%+ of mentees report their mentor has helped them think about their career.
CONTACT
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County & The Inland Empire
1801 E. Edinger Ave.
Ste. 101
Santa Ana, CA 92705
Phone: 714-426-5628