ANNUAL REPORT 2020

The Value of Connection

Mentorship has never been more important or more relevant. Through this period of isolation, our mentors have continued to show up for our youth and remind them that being apart does not mean they are alone. That is the value of connection. 

— Big Brothers Big Sisters CEO Sloane Keane

For decades, we have shared about mentorship as a proven solution for delivering first-generation diplomas and keeping children out of the juvenile justice system. That remains true.

We are committed to igniting the power and promise of youth so they can graduate high school, discover new pathways and achieve a living-wage career that will break cycles of poverty in our community.

But this year, we also addressed an evolving set of critical needs for our youth, ranging from mental health struggles to distance learning obstacles and concerns about their future. 

The pandemic has underscored the need for youth to have human connection. For mentorship. A role model who can guide them through this uncertain world and not allow circumstances to prevent our future leaders from thriving. 

Connection has united our entire Big Brothers Big Sisters community to keep our organization strong in 2020. Our staff, board of directors, volunteers, donors and partners, together, have helped defend our youth from the devastating effects of this crisis. 

We’ve leveraged technology to create connections for our families, providing critical resources and enhanced our professional support. Despite personal hardships, our mentors rose to every challenge, tutoring their mentees over Zoom, dropping off groceries and reminding them daily that they matter and someone is thinking of them. 

And without the investment from our donors and partners, none of this would be possible. You enabled us to respond, recover and thrive, launching youth on a path to long-term success.

Igniting potential through connection

Your connection to Big Brothers Big Sisters in 2020 created new pathways for youth

YOUTH IMPACTED IN 2020
0
MATCHES SERVED
0
High school mentors
0
VOLUNTEER HOURS
0
Elementary schools partners
0
High school PARTNERS
0
WORKPLACE MENTORING PARTNERS
0

The impact of covid-19

With the onset of COVID-19, our youth are in dire social and emotional trauma, facing poverty, homelessness and educational crisis. These vulnerable youth are losing connection with the people, institutions, and experiences who can ignite their potential. 

0%

live below the poverty line

0%

don't live in a dual-parent household

0%

have an incarcerated parent

The youth served by Big Brothers Big Sisters already face significant hardships.

Lack of access to basic survival needs like food, medical care and stable housing were exacerbated throughout 2020. Connection was difficult, as our families live in the areas hardest hit by the pandemic. 

Throughout 2020, existing challenges for youth were compounded by struggles with mental health, without adequate resources to address those needs. Lack of access to WiFi and technology made even the simple act of logging on for school a challenge.

In October, the Santa Ana Task Force hosted a youth summit listening forum that echoed on a community-wide scale the struggles we had been addressing for months with our youth. Low-income, first generation adolescents and young adults were suffering disproportionately. 

Forced to grow up even faster than before, they shouldered new responsibilities like translating for parents, interpreting culture, working extra hours and supervising younger siblings at the expense of their own education.

projected number of disconnected youth
0

COVID-19 has likely erased 10 years of progress made in reducing the national youth disconnection rate in a matter of months.

During and in the years following the Great Recession, the number of disconnected youth was close to 6 million teens or young adults who were neither working nor in school. In the wake of COVID-19, that number could swell to nearly 9 million, or one in four nationwide. But mentoring is a pathway to restoration and healing. This connection means a role model will walk alongside them, helping them open up about their frustrations and navigate an uncertain world. 

In March 2020, we shifted our programs to the virtual space to keep kids connected.

This included the launch of a digital connection resource hub and training our volunteers to engage safely and creatively online. As weeks turned into months, there was increasing demand for what we offer: human connection. In response to a growing wait list of children, we launched virtual friendships and began making our first matches in all-digital world. 

Mentoring in a pandemic

 We not only continued connection for children with virtual friendships, but also adapted our professional support to address three critical areas of need for youth.

This year, our staff introduced virtual match events, training sessions, a drive-through graduation, an online career road trip series and a brand-new program model. It's all made possible because of your connection — our dedicated volunteers, donors and community partners. Together, we met the moment to defend the future of mentorship and strengthen resilience factors for youth.

prioritizing mental health

Mentors protect the most vulnerable through this crisis — our children. This year, our volunteers have prioritized the health and well-being of their mentees.
Read more

Navigating Education

This year, our mentors embraced their roles as educational coaches, counselors and cheerleaders. They taught their mentees about email etiquette. They sat in on classes. They made sure every child understood the value of education.
Read more

Shaping our Future Leaders

Taking a proactive approach with our high school youth across all programs, we explored new ways in 2020 to deliver mentorship to support long-term college and career success.
Read More

PRIORITIZING MENTAL HEALTH

“I was at a point a couple months ago — I didn’t want to do anything. I had zero appetite for eating or taking care of myself. I started letting things affect me and stopped doing my schoolwork. When I don’t feel like talking to someone, I’ll text Audra and we’ll talk about it and she’s understanding and she tells me the right thing I need to hear. She makes me feel good about myself when I don’t want to feel good about myself. She’s not just my Big Sister, not just my mentor. I see her as family.”

— Crystal, Age 17, mentored by Audra

Mental health-related ER visits for children were approximately 44% higher nationwide in 2020

Young people ages 18-24 suffered from COVID-19-related anxiety (49%) and depression (52%)

After one year of mentorship, DOJ research found depression scores for BBBS mentored youth declined 19%

Mentors provide connection for the most vulnerable through this crisis — our children.

This year, they battled the devastating effects of isolation, including increased rates of depression, anxiety and suicide. But our volunteers have prioritized the health and well-being of their mentees. Even the smallest acts of sending a motivational morning text, checking in via FaceTime or cooking a meal together over Zoom reminded youth they are not alone.

“It’s not about when you’re there for your Little, it just matters that you ARE there for your Little,” shared Adam, a mentor to Dominic since 2016. “When people ask me about the program, I usually say that no one has time; Bigs just choose to make time.” 

In addition to our existing support, mentors received access to enhanced services to better connect with their mentees through the pandemic:

Specialized trainings and facilitated group panels on topics like mental health, socioemotional learning, racial equity and implicit bias empowered volunteers to have meaningful conversations with mentees virtually.

From guided STEM slime tutorials to pumpkin painting, we continued to host fun activities for matches to engage in a virtual format.

navigating education

“The first week of online school was difficult, but Daphne helped me overcome my anxiety and supported me along the way, even going as far as staying on FaceTime with me while I sat through my classes. Having a Big Sister like Daphne really helped keep me motivated to get my work done and to be in a good mood during the pandemic. After I graduate, I would like to pursue a career in psychology and travel the world. I told Daphne that one of the things on my bucket list was to travel to Japan, and she was so excited about my plans! I hope to have her support for many years to come, even after I graduate.”

— Ameera, Age 17, mentored by Daphne

The CDC highlights the mentoring work of Big Brothers Big Sisters as an effective intervention for mitigating the impact of ACEs, including improved academic performance and better school attendance.

0%

more likely to attend college

Distance learning introduced a new set of challenges for our youth.

Some were unfamiliar or too young to independently navigate the various technologies needed to attend school remotely. Others, already struggling academically, lacked the motivation to log on for class at all or were pulled away to support siblings and contribute financially to the family. 

This year, our mentors embraced their roles as educational coaches, counselors and cheerleaders. They taught their mentees about email etiquette. They sat in on classes. They made sure every child understood the value of education. 

For Jorge, a 17-year-old finishing his junior year, the pandemic seemed like a series of dead ends on his path to college. Like many others, his family felt the financial strain of COVID, so Jorge found a summer job working long hours to pay for his applications. When he started his senior year in the fall, distance learning led to challenges in getting signed up for the right classes. But Adrian, his mentor since 2016, showed up for Jorge to ensure his dreams weren’t derailed. Adrian verified CSU admission requirements to correct his schedule and even organized a Zoom call for Jorge and his mom to meet with a CSU San Bernardino counselor. 

Adrian’s mentorship of Jorge provided not only human connection, but connection to educational opportunities that would have been out of reach

leadership development

“Being part of the High School Bigs program has really impacted who I am as a person over the past three years. Being a mentor has unlocked my leadership potential. Being a Big has also taught me to be confident, to be resilient, to better my self-esteem and be there for others. Helping children is my way of helping my community. Being able to encourage them to succeed, helping them to further their education, just being there for them is a step into changing their lives little by little.”

— Isabel, Age 18, High School Big of the Year

Young people are falling behind in their transition to adulthood. Measure of America estimates that in the wake of the current crisis, almost one-quarter of all young people will not be working or in school.

"COVID took away our senior year, but it didn’t take away our passion to succeed."

“It is up to us to be the change,” said Isabel, a first-generation student and high school mentor for three years. 

Taking a proactive approach with our high school youth across all programs, we explored new ways in 2020 to deliver mentorship to support long-term college and career success. We have an opportunity to be the change and fight back against the catastrophic effects of the pandemic that put a generation at risk of losing connection. 

With a goal of exposing high school students to different post-grad pathways, we introduced a virtual series for matches with practical workshops, expert panels and career days with partners like NAIOP SoCal and Reyes Coca-Cola Bottling.

The expansion of site-based mentoring offers more career exposure in diverse fields, with new partners like CHOC, KPMG, Bournes and Anaheim Police Dept.

For many first-generation students, educational and economic barriers can create a tumultuous post-grad journey. This new program model aims to help high school students increase social capital, strengthen college and career readiness, and find their voices as community advocates with the help of a college mentor.

With Gratitude

Because of your connection, we have an opportunity to look forward, bringing resiliency and healing to our neighborhoods.

Thank you for being part of our community this year and believing in the value of connection as a solution. Together, we can ensure mentorship has a legacy and a future here in Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties.

2020 donor Connections

Todd & Natalie Pickup

Angelitos de Oro

CARES Act

Jeffrey Frieden

Joseph & Polly Ueberroth / Bellwether Charitable Foundation – Bellwether Marine Acquisition Company

OJJDP – through Big Brothers Big Sisters of America

Paul & Norma Fruchbom

Rob Friedman

Tarsadia Foundation

Tom & Angie Reyes

Anderson Community Partners

California Office of Emergency Services – through Inland Empire Community Foundation

County of Riverside Probation – Juvenile Justice Crime
Prevention Act

Dave Moellenhoff

Dot Dot Smile – Jeff & Nicole Thompson

ECMC Foundation

Farmers & Merchants Bank –
Henry Walker

Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian – relationship through Angelitos de Oro

Inland SoCal United Way

Jeff Gehl

Latham & Watkins LLP – Cary Hyden

Lyon Capital Management – Frank Suryan

North Orange County Public Safety
Task Force

Riverside Unified School District

The James Previti Family Foundation

The Larry and Helen Hoag Foundation – relationship through Angelitos de Oro

The Nevell Group – Michael & Susie Nevell

The William, Jeff, and Jennifer Gross Family Foundation

Ueberroth Family Foundation

Albert J. Crosson Family Foundation – Tim & Marie Crosson

Altamont Capital & Hybrid Apparel

Anonymous

Anonymous

Bill Foley

California Department of Education – through Corona-Norco Unified School District

California Office of Emergency Services – through El Sol Neighborhood Educational Center

CEO Leadership Alliance and Chapman University with Anaheim Union High School District

Chalmers Corporation – Trace Chalmers

Citrus Motors – Dennis Shannon

City of Corona, CDBG

Columbia Steel – Gus Theisen

Compass Group Management, LLC – relationship through Elias Sabo

Disney Worldwide Services, Inc.

Draper Family Foundation – through Orange County Community Foundation

First American Title Insurance Company – relationship through Mark Rutherford

Fontana Foundation of Hope – Jack Long

Gary Edwards

Henry W. & Ellen R. Warne Family Endowment Fund – through Orange County Community Foundation

Jack & Lois Wareham

Jason Krotts

Jeffrey Moorad

John & Rachell Lenell

John McMahon

Josephine Herbert Gleis Foundation

Juliano Family Foundation – Joe Juliano

Kurt Belcher

Lyon Capital Management – Peter Zak

Marathon Petroleum Companies

Marathon Petroleum Foundation, Inc.

Marisla Foundation – through Orange County Community Foundation

Navin & Becky Narang

New American Funding – Patricia & Rick Arvielo

North Orange County ROP – through Anaheim Union High School District

Peter & Suzanne Desforges

R.D. Olson Development

Riverside University Health Systems

Robert Pickell

Rutan & Tucker, LLP

Safe Neighborhoods & School Act – through Corona-Norco Unified School District

San Bernardino Unified School District

Scott & Karen Green – through Orange County Community Foundation

Steve & Linda Borowski

Succession Capital Alliance – Julian Movsesian

The DevTo Support Foundation – Kevin Martin

The Donna and John Crean Foundation

The Leonard I. Green Foundation

The Westhead Family Trust – Paul Westhead

U.S. Bank Foundation

Wingate Foundation – Todd Wingate

Youssef and Kamel Mawardi Fund

Altria Group – through Big Brothers Big Sisters of America

Altura Credit Union

Arne & Nancy Youngman – through Schwab Charitable Gift Fund, relationship through Angelitos de Oro

Arvin Wijay

Banc of California Charitable Foundation

Bank of America

Benn McCallister

Bisou Bailey Foundation / Matt & Susie Bailey – through Orange County Community Foundation

Blake & Courtney Johnson

Blanc Family Foundation / AYCO – Steve & Phyllis Blanc

Brew Ha Ha Productions

California Baptist University – College of Behavioral Social Sciences

Cary Hyden

CEJ Investments – Carl Johnson

Center Street Lending – Steve Couig

Charles Roy

Charles Ruck

Chris Welsh

Citizens Business Bank

City of Anaheim CDBG

City of Rialto, CDBG

City of Riverside, CDBG

Cox, Castle & Nicholson

Croul Family Foundation

D. Robinson & Tammi Cluck

Daniel Hyman

Edwards Lifesciences Foundation

Elliot & Sheila Gordon

Exit Alliance Realty – Shawn Sorensen

Fidelity Investments

Fidelity National Title Group Holdings

FPH Capital Partners – Navin Narang

Griswold Industries (CLA-VAL)

Guy Johnson

Inland Empire Community Foundation

Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation

J&B Schaefgen Family Charitable Foundation – through Schwab Charitable Fund

J. Stanley and Mary W. Johnson Family Foundation

James Lawson

Jeff Walsh

Jeffrey Read

Jim & Eleonora Pickell

Jonathan Mitchell

Joseph Andrea

Louis Welch

Mathis Brothers Furniture – Rit Mathis

Mega Western Sales – Tom Duddy

Merrilee F. Harris – through the American Endowment Foundation, relationship through Angelitos de Oro

Mike Danzi – through Orange County Community Foundation

Mike Fox

MUFG Union Bank Foundation

Neora – through Big Brothers Big Sisters of America

Niagara Cares

Odessa’s Vision – Doug & Sheryl Martinez

Oltmans Construction Co. – Charles Roy

Pacific Life Foundation

Patrick Maciariello

Paul Daftarian

PIMCO

PRO Unlimited, Inc.

R. Julian Enterprises – Rick Julian

Rick & Tracy Weiner

Ruben Mendoza – through the National Christian Foundation California

San Manuel Band Of Mission Indians

Shea Homes – Bert Selva & Peter Shea

Sterling BMW

Steve Gabriel

Synergy Corporate Housing – Henry Luebbert

The Ahmanson Foundation, Trustee, Howard F. Ahmanson

The Breana Pennington Living Trust – Jason Smallwood

The DevTo Support Foundation – Joe Moody

The DevTo Support Foundation – Rick Weiner

The LeVecke Family Foundation

The Susan Scott Foundation – Tim McFarlin

Thomas Podmajersky

Tom & Deanne Duddy

TVI, Inc. – Savers

Urovant Sciences Inc. – relationship through Nori Ebersole

VPM – Scott Barker

Wells Fargo Foundation

Word & Brown Companies

Zareh Sarrafian

Aetna

Alight Solutions

Allium Partners

Anaheim Community Foundation

Apriem Advisors – through the National Christian Foundation California, relationship through Jen & Matt Olson

AT&T

Beacon Pointe Wealth Advisors – relationship through Jim Davenport

Bill & Barb Lindsey – through the National Outreach Foundation

Bill & Veronica Olien

Bottega Veneta – relationship through Angelitos de Oro

BrandingBusiness

Capital Group Companies Charitable Foundation

Charles & Yvonne Stowe

Christopher & Brigitte Reedy

Christopher & Fiona Ivey

Cory Alder

David & Ginger Werner

David August – David Heil

David Harvey

Documotion Research

Ellen Bancroft

Employee Community Fund of Boeing CA

Enterprise Holdings Foundation

Epson

Fidelity Melon – Darrin Wadman

Fidelity National Title Company

Frome Family Foundation – Stan Frome

Harry and Diane Rinker Foundation – Ken Rinker

Hexberg Family Foundation

HireRight

J O Larson Revocable Trust

James Wynne

Jason Finney

Jeff & Susan Hamar – through Schwab Charitable Fund

Jeff McIndoo

Jeff Roos – through Orange County Community Foundation

Jennifer Arnoldt

Jeremy Mape

John H. Grace Foundation

Keenan & Associates

Ken & Cheri Ketner

Kip Parsons

Kory Kramer

KPMG LLP – a portion of this gift influenced by Mark Clemens

LeVecke Corporation

Limeade

Lon V. Smith Foundation

Los Angeles Chargers

Marc Chasman

Marilyn Stemper

Marty Colombatto

Max Jong – through the National Outreach Foundation

McCarthy Building Company Inc.

Mercer

Mike & Linda Mussallem – through the Orange County Community Foundation, relationship through Angelitos de Oro

NAL Financial – Nicholas Louis

Nori Ebersole

Norm Christensen

OC Professional Soccer

OctoClean – Matt Stowe

Ontario Refrigeration

Pacific Premier Bank

Pam & Jim Muzzy – through Orange County Community Foundation, relationship through Angelitos de Oro

Paul Julian

Phil & Diana Berry

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP – relationship through Gary Wilson

Real Estate Development Associates

RGP

Richard & Elizabeth Steele Endowment Fund – through Orange County Community Foundation

Robert and Helen Reedy Family Fund of the Sacramento Region Community Foundation

Robin Richards

Roger & Laurie Williams – through Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund

Steve Arnold

Stradling, Yocca, Carlson & Rauth – relationship through Chris Ivey

The Grove Community Church

The Roberts Law Firm

Thomas Rhodes

Tim Ballard

Timothy Strader Jr. – through the American Endowment Foundation

Trenton Rhodes

TSG Wealth Management –
Allen Schreiber

U.S. Bank

Unify Financial Credit Union

UPS Foundation

Vince & Naomi French

Waltmar Foundation, Inc.

Wilson Creek Winery

Wohl Family Fund – through Orange County Community Foundation, relationship through Angelitos de Oro

Zach Sawtelle

0/20 Plumbing & Heating, Inc.

Abbott Laboratories

Action Clutch

Admerge

Albert B. Cutter Memorial Fund

Alex Dorin

Allstate – Omar Zaki

Almich & Associates

Andrew Dossett

Andy & Elyse Bryant

Ann Mezzadri

Anonymous

Anonymous

Aquazzura – relationship through Angelitos de Oro

Baubac Hayatdavoudi

Beauty 21 Cosmetics, Inc.

Best Best & Krieger LLP

Bill O’Brien

Boscia, LLC

Braden Cluck

Bradley Coleman

Bradley Hontz

Brent & Ana Lee

Brian Stevens

Bruce & Carolyn Rouleau – relationship through Angelitos de Oro

Bruce Pasqua

buzzbox premium cocktails, Inc.

Calvary Murrieta – Brian &
Kelly Bell

Carothers DiSante & Freudenberger LLP

Chartwell Financial Advisory

Chris & Daphne Foster

Chris Flick

Commercial Metals Company

Commercial West Brokerage – relationship through Phil Berry

Control Air Enterprise

Craig Leupold

Cuevas Family – through the Inland Empire Community Foundation

Cyndi Light

Damien & Jennifer O’Farrell

Damon Burrows

Darioush Winery

Dave & Jacqueline Gustafson

David Smith

Disney – on behalf of Christopher Won’s volunteer service

Disney – on behalf of Lauren Tirado’s volunteer service

Do It American MFG Company, LLC

Dominique & Jeremiah Secrest

Don Kennedy

Dorothy M. Booth Charitable Trust, Bank of America, N.A., Co-Trustee

Doug Holte

Edward Synicky

Erin & Jack Boyl

Ernie Hwang

Ernst & Young LLP – relationship through Scott Nelson

Evan Knapp

Experian – through the Benevity Community Impact Fund

Fisher & Phillips LLP

Foresters Financial

Francisco Morales

Gary & Bonnie Wilson

Geoff Coar

Grace Helen Spearman Charitable Foundation

Grant Garbers

Gregg Hemphill

Harbor Distributing, LLC –
Tom Reyes

Hillmann Consulting, LLC

Howard Building Corporation

Ingram Micro Community Relations Fund – through OneOC

Intermix, LLC – relationship through Angelitos de Oro

Jack and Shanaz Langson Family Foundation – relationship through Angelitos de Oro

James & Marilyn Johnston

Jason Makevich

Jeff Swindell

Jeffrey Resnick

Jen Rake

Jennifer & Matt Olson

Jennifer Bolanis

Jeremiah & Laura Lee

Jim & Judy Davenport

Jim Conner

John & Karla Barry

John Cornuke

John Gormly

Joshua Crabbe – through the Benevity Community Impact Fund

JWB Tax and Financial Services – Jason Burke

JYeh MD Foundation

Kathryn Gutierrez

Kathy Wright & Dwight Tate

Ken & Angela Lineberger

Kerry Mangano

Kristin & Dave Stolte

KV Marketing – Chris Bull

Laine Ainsworth

Lake Elsinore Storm Baseball

Loreen Loftus – relationship through Angelitos de Oro

Lorimar Winery

Majestic Realty Foundation

Mark & Denise Rutherford

Mark & Erin Phillips

Mark Clemens – through Orange County United Way

Mark Moehlman

Marsha Lancaster

Mary E. Moore Family Foundation

Mary Ruth Arnoldt

Mason Smith – through Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund

Matt Jiggins

Merhab Robinson & Clarkson, Law Corporation

Michael Carpenter

Michael Liang

Midkiff Family Foundation

Mike Kincaid – Kincaid Construction Company

Morgan, Lewis, and Bockius – relationship through Ellen Bancroft

National Charity League, Inc – Riverside Chapter

National University System

Netflix – through Big Brothers Big Sisters of America

Nichols Consulting Engineers, CHTD

Nordstrom Rack – through Big Brothers Big Sisters of America

Oak Creek Golf Club

Panattoni Development Company

Parker-Hannifin Foundation

Pat Foley

Peter & Susan Hitch – through Orange County United Way

Raj Dalal

Rajesh Bera

Reiko Kerr

Reyes Coca Cola Bottling

Rich Howell

Richardson Family Trust

Riverside East Rotary

Riverside Sunrise Rotary

Ryan Day

Salas O’Brien Holdings

Santa Ana Elks Lodge

Scharrell Jackson

Service Now – through the Benevity Community Impact Fund

Shanbrom Family Fund – through Orange County Community Foundation

Sharpe Interior Systems

SingerLewak LLP – Shannon Carlson

Sloane & Kevin Keane

SoCal Elite Accounting

Sonya Sanders

Southern California Edison

Stater Bros. Charities

Stephen Geane

Steve Holley

Steven Chasman

Taketa Capital Corporation – Rick Taketa

Target Corporation – through the Target Circle Program

Taylor & Monica Arnett

Terry Adams

The Darin and Lori Anderson Foundation

The Koll Company

The Resort at Pelican Hill

Thomas Gobin – through the PIMCO Foundation

Tim Andrews

Tim Conlon – through the Benevity Community Impact Fund

Tim Rogers

Timothy Busch

Tom Doherty

Tom Hays

Tom Rielly

Tony Radovich – Highland Commercial Roofing

Tricord Advisors – Jeremiah Lee

TriElements Fitness

Tustin Community Foundation

Two Mortgage Guys – Jonathan Ferrell

Victor & Jenny Cisneros

Walmart

Walter’s Automotive – Steve &
Cathy Kienle

Waters Edge Wineries – Ken & Angela Lineberger

WAXIE Sanitary Supply

We Care Plumbing, Heating, Air, and Solar – Rusty Cochran

West Coast Firestopping

Will Tipton

Williams Sonoma – relationship through Angelitos de Oro

Windermere Tower Properties – Brent Lee

Wood Gutmann & Bogart Insurance Brokers

Longtime connections that became more important than ever in 2020

Committed to improving the lives of youth and families in Orange County

Orange County Community Foundation has been a key connector for Big Brothers Big Sisters through so many of its efforts:

The Green Family Foundation has generously provided ongoing funding for our youth to experience a variety of new cultural, athletic, and life activities while simultaneously creating opportunities for our mentors and youth to strengthen connections through shared experiences.

Orange County needs new and innovative ways to provide workforce development to all of its residents. In 2020, OCCF invested in a unique partnership between Hope Builders, Santa Ana College, Big Brothers Big Sisters and Ceridian to provide underserved young adults with the full range of training, services, education and mentorship they need to attain living wage jobs.

The Draper Family Foundation’s support has helped our agency become a national leader in promoting college and career success through mentoring.

The Marisla Foundation continues to help us match and support underserved young girls across Orange County with mentors that can help mitigate the impact of social isolation, economic dislocation and distance learning.

Lastly, OCCF itself has long supported ACT Anaheim, a collaboration of youth-serving nonprofits working together to change the lives of Anaheim youth. As ACT Anaheim enters a new phase as part of the Anaheim Community Foundation, Big Brothers Big Sisters looks forward to carrying on the efforts OCCF has stewarded for so many years.

Gourmet Dinner Joel K Rubenstein Header

Honoring Todd Pickup
2020 Joel K. Rubenstein Award

Previously known as the Man of the Year, this award was renamed after Joel K. Rubenstein in 1988 in tribute to a beloved board member who dedicated his life to improving the futures of children in Orange County. This award has become the highest honor that the organization can bestow: These are “the hands that helped build Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County.” All the names of the past honorees have been engraved on a Big Brother/Little Brother statue that stands in the office to represent the hands that build the agency.

In 2020, Big Brothers Big Sisters welcomed Todd Pickup as the newest member of this esteemed group. A board member since 2010 and past board chair, Todd has helped double the number of youth impacted by mentorship in the region during his tenure. His unwavering commitment has played a role in transforming the organization, from his seed gift to the capital campaign to becoming a mainstay at the annual Stars and Stripes Tournament. Todd’s generosity, compassion and dedication to youth mentoring are why we are proud to honor him as the 2020 Joel K. Rubenstein Man of the Year.

stars and stripes children's foundation

As a beneficiary of the annual Stars & Stripes Tournament since its inception 20+ years ago, we were proud to take part in the foundation’s creative virtual programming in summer 2020 with stories of mentorship, impact and COVID-19 challenges. With musical guests and mission moments, the virtual experience enabled us to keep connected with our Stars & Stripes family, even while apart.

We’re saving the date for a return to Cabo, set to take place June 23-27, 2021!

coRONA NORCO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

The investment CNUSD made through funding and collaborations to create innovative mentoring programs enabled us to serve the new and unique needs of their students, our Littles. They are advancing our mentoring programs to better connect foster, LBGTQ and system-involved youth, and partnering with us to empower high school students through the new College Bigs model. Together, we are creating emotional support services, soft skill tools and a job training mentoring program to reduce recidivism rates.

Big Brothers Big Sisters Corporate Board

It takes a passionate group of individuals and companies to innovate during times of need. Our corporate board came together to conceptualize, promote and fundraise for their first virtual event benefiting our agency — Magic Hour, an evening of craft cocktails and magical entertainment.

Thank you to the 2020 Corporate Board:

Taylor Arnett, CapRock Partners
Jason Balaban, First American
Alicia LeBlond, Banc of California
Dominique Secrest, UPS
Michael Denzinger, US Bank

financials

Fiscal Year End June 30, 2020

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Activities

TOTAL REVENUE

$6,008,264

TOTAL EXPENSES

$6,970,624

CHANGE IN NET ASSETS

<$962,360>

Breakdown of Expenses

TOTAL EXPENSES: $6,970,624

PROGRAMS
0%
Fundraising
0%
General Administration
0%

Consolidated Statement of Financial Position

CASH & CASH EQUIVALENTS (includes restricted cash of $93,630)

$2,013,625

GIFTS & GRANTS RECEIVABLES

$252,678

INVESTMENTS

$12,260,326

PROPERTY & EQUIPMENT (net of accum depre & amort)

$8,093,075

NOTE RECEIVABLE

$6,983,300

OTHER ASSETS

$295,237

TOTAL ASSETS

$29,898,241

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE & ACCRUED LIABILITIES

$502,569

DEFERRED CONTRIBUTION REVENUE

$240,800

LOANS PAYABLE (net of debt issuance cost)

$14,735,295

TOTAL LIABILITIES

$15,478,664

NET ASSETS WITHOUT DONOR RESTRICTIONS

$14,018,486

NET ASSETS WITH DONOR RESTRICTIONS

$401,091

TOTAL NET ASSETS

$14,419,577

TOTAL LIABILITIES & NET ASSETS

$29,898,241