Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County and the Inland Empire Mentoring Programs

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County and the Inland Empire Mentoring Programs offers one-on-one community mentoring with adult volunteers and youth ages 6 to 16. It also offers Big Couples mentoring, High School Bigs school-based sessions with high school students mentoring elementary school students, Workplace Mentoring with corporate employees and high school students, and Sports Buddies activities centered around athletics and wellness for youth ages 11 to 14.

Programs

• Community Mentoring — 6-16 · Meet up two times per month; matches plan activities based on their own schedule. · Adult volunteers are matched with youth ages 6-16 for one-on-one mentoring.
• Big Couples — 6-16 · Spend time together twice a month, together or on their own. · Two adults in a relationship for 2+ years mentor a Little Brother ages 6-16.
• High School Bigs — Elementary school students; volunteers are high school students grades 9-11 · Meet once a week after school. · High school students mentor elementary school students in school-based sessions led by a program specialist.
• Workplace Mentoring — High school students · Meet once a month at company headquarters; sessions last 90 minutes. · Corporate employees mentor high school students in facilitated monthly group sessions.
• Sports Buddies — 11-14 · Structured group events each month. · Adult volunteers and youth ages 11-14 participate in activities centered around athletics and wellness.

At a glance

• Ages: 6–16 years old
• General schedule: Community Mentoring meets two times per month. Big Couples spend time twice a month. High School Bigs meet once a week after school. Workplace Mentoring meets once a month. Sports Buddies has structured group events each month.

About the provider

The organization states that it creates and supports mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of the next generation. It offers community and school-based mentoring programs in Orange County, along with educational workshops, free match outings and group events, peer support groups, community referrals, and resources. It is recognized as a 2024–2025 K-16 Regional Business Partner by OC Department of Education's OC Pathways, a 2023 BBBSA Platinum Award Winner, a 2022 BBBSA Gold Standard Award Winner, and it has a Charity Navigator 4-star rating.

Community mentoring enrollment typically takes 60 to 90 days from start to finish. Steps include applying, verification, training, and meeting your Little. High School Bigs eligibility requires a 9th-11th grade student at a participating school and commitment to at least one academic year in the program.

What families say

“Through mentorship, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County plays a pivotal role in addressing student absenteeism by providing meaningful connections and support, giving students a reason to show up and engage in their education.” — DR. STEFAN BEAN, ORANGE COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS

Last updated October 22, 2026.