Each year, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Inland Empire celebrates two exceptional matches that showcase the life-changing power of mentorship. These inspiring relationships highlight how mentoring not only helps youth achieve their biggest possible futures but also leaves a lasting impact on mentors.
The 2025 Bigs and Littles of the Year finalists each have unique stories that reflect the heart of our mission.
Discover their journeys below, and mark your calendar: the two winning matches will be revealed on January 30 during National Mentoring Month!
Darlene Tako & Jolie Anae | Matched since 2018
Darlene's consistent support has been a lifeline for Jolie, helping her navigate the challenges of losing her father and managing her learning differences. Through enriching experiences like amusement park trips and library visits, Darlene has fostered Jolie's confidence, social skills, and love for learning. This strong bond has transformed Jolie from a shy child into a confident young girl with a bright future ahead of her.
Emily Linville & Layla | Matched since 2021
Emily's consistent and caring mentorship has transformed Layla's life. Her loving parents work hard to provide for her and her siblings, which means they’re often unable to spend much time together. Despite the challenges of a virtual start during the pandemic, Emily and Layla have been able to establish a bond that has flourished over the last three years. This support has been invaluable for Layla, who may not have had access to these opportunities without the support and friendship of her Big. Emily empowers Layla to step out of her comfort zone, from advocating for her peers at the BBBS Mental Health Summit to embracing new experiences like attending her first Clippers game.
Susan Hinrichs & Naiyalli | Matched since 2023
Naiyali is an energetic nine-year-old who has blossomed under her Big Sister Susan's nurturing guidance. With her experience and passion for supporting youth, Susan empowers Naiyalli to explore her creative side and build confidence in art and academics. This supportive bond has instilled resilience and a sense of purpose in Naiyalli, motivating her to dream big and explore her full potential. Beyond her friendship with Naiyalli, Susan plays a major role in our Big Recruitment Committee and loves to share her story with others to recruit more volunteers. Following in her Big’s footsteps, Naiyalli also loves to spend her time giving back to others, volunteering to walk dogs for the local shelter and passing out food and gifts to kids in her community who don’t have as much support as she does.
Jonathan Rangel & Johnny | Matched since 2022
The impact of Jonathan's unwavering support for his Little, Johnny, highlights the importance of having a positive role model in a young man’s life. Being raised by a single mom, Johnny had the support of his coaches growing up, but he was missing that one-on-one connection. Jonathan has stepped up to be that person for Johnny, asking about his day, helping him with homework, and taking him out for quality time—usually centered around their shared love of sports. When a terrible accident sidelined Johnny, Jonathan was there to help him build back his physical and mental strength. With his Big by his side, Johnny is well on the road to recovery and is excited for his future.
Kevin Gaytan & Ricky | Matched since 2023
Kevin's empathy and past struggles resonate deeply with Ricky, a teenager grappling with the loss of his father. They quickly connected over their shared love for football and new experiences, while Kevin's gentle guidance has helped Ricky develop focus and time-management skills to improve academically. With his mentor by his side, Ricky gained the confidence he needed to explore his entrepreneurial aspirations, advocate for other youth at the BBBS Mental Health Summit, and share his story to inspire others to dream bigger.
Ricardo Guido & Richard | Matched since 2023
Ricardo, a compassionate teacher by profession, came into Richard’s life and met him where he was at, drawing from his own experiences growing up to help redirect his outlook on life. Their shared passion for skateboarding, video games, and the outdoors fostered a strong bond that showed Richard what a healthy friendship looks like, helping him make better choices at school and in his social life. With consistent encouragement, Ricardo has seen significant changes in Richard, who recently joined the wrestling team, demonstrating newfound maturity and motivation.
