Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of Orange County and Inland Empire is celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month being held nationally Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, 2024. The Hispanic community in Orange County and the Inland Empire is at the heart of the economic and cultural fabric of Southern California. With 72% of the organization’s mentees (known as Littles), 47% of mentors (known as Bigs), and 68% of staff identifying as Latino, it is clear why this cultural group is a central focus.
The mission of Big Brothers Big Sisters is to create and support mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of the next generation. The organization currently has 20,033 alumni, with 3,906 youth impacted and 101,723 volunteer hours logged in fiscal 2024.
“We are honored each year to celebrate the significant contributions of the Hispanic community in Southern California,” said BBBS OC & IE CEO Sloane Keane. “We are dedicated to empowering young people from all backgrounds and providing meaningful volunteer opportunities for those committed to making a difference in their lives.”
Overall, there is a definitive need for the mentoring programs offered by BBBS in the region. For example, some 74% of the Littles served by the organization live below the poverty line with a majority (72%) of those young people receiving free or reduced-price school lunches.
For those reached by BBBS programs, outcomes can dramatically improve in terms of academic performance, graduation rates, decreases in risky behaviors, increased school attendance, and readiness for college careers. Key indicators of success for BBBS youth include:
- 95% graduate high school on time
- 75% are the first in their family to attend college
- 87% pursue higher education
- 84% report maintained or improved mental health
- 93% are less likely to engage in risky behavior
- 95% show socio-economic growth
- 83% experience improved or maintained academic performance
One personal impact story profiles a young man named Alessandro whose parents immigrated to the United States from Jalisco, Mexico. They saw a need for a mentor to help Alessandro reach his full potential, while navigating cultural and academic hurdles that were new to them. Adding to his challenges, Alessandro transferred to a new middle school. Through BBBS, he formed a close relationship with Ralph, his Big mentor, who provided consistent guidance and support. Ultimately, Alessandro earned a scholarship to attend nearby Chapman University – something he previously thought was out of reach. Alessandro recently also was awarded Northgate Market’s Familia Gonzalez Reynoso Foundation scholarship, which he discovered through BBBS. Alessandro shared, “I’m the first in my family to pursue higher education. Thanks to the foundation scholarship, I was able to purchase the digital textbooks for all of my classes in time to do homework.”. Alessandro and Ralph have continued their relationship through the BBBS 18+ program.
Big Brothers Big Sisters delivers the training, resources and support necessary for each match to succeed. An integrated services approach encompasses programs such as Community Mentoring, Sports Buddies, High School Bigs, Workplace Mentoring and Big Couples.
Volunteering with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County is a unique opportunity to guide, support and inspire a young person. A diverse selection of programs offer various ways to get involved, including one-to-one mentoring, group activities or school-based support.
There is currently a waiting list of BBBS OC & IE Littles to be matched with a Big for mentoring. Learn more about how BBBS OC & IE is celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month and mentorship opportunities at www.ocbigs.org/hispanicheritage
