[vc_row full_width=”” parallax=”” parallax_image=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][fwp-anim-text animated=”true” animation=”enter right move 10px over 1s after”]As the new school year approaches, we’re taking a moment to reflect on the incredible accomplishments of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County’s class of 2016 Littles:

• 99 percent of Littles graduated high school on-time
• 89 percent enrolled in college
• 46 percent were the first in their family to do so
• 100 percent of Littles stated their Big was the biggest influence in their academic achievements!

During our celebratory graduation dinner in June, a few Littles shared some touching words about the impact their mentor has had on their life:[/fwp-anim-text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”” parallax=”” parallax_image=””][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”3484″ alignment=”center” border_color=”grey” img_link_large=”” img_link_target=”_self” img_size=”medium”][fwp-anim-text animated=”true” animation=”enter right move 10px over 1s after”]“I’m the son of high school drop outs—my mom and dad—and [now I am] the first generation high school graduate and my Big Brother Art has been helping me through the whole college process. If it wasn’t for him, I’d be like my parents just dropping out and not going to college. Art, thank you so much.”

—Little Brother Diego[/fwp-anim-text][vc_empty_space height=”32px”][vc_single_image image=”3475″ alignment=”center” border_color=”grey” img_link_large=”” img_link_target=”_self” img_size=”medium”][fwp-anim-text animated=”true” animation=”enter right move 10px over 1s after”]“Thank you to the program for [giving] me and everyone here someone who helps us every step of the way. In high school and middle school, we have things that happen that we want someone to be there for us, and my Big Sister Laura has been there for me. I want to thank the program for matching us together. I don’t know what I would be doing right now if she wasn’t a part of my life.”

—Little Sister America[/fwp-anim-text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”3485″ alignment=”center” border_color=”grey” img_link_large=”” img_link_target=”_self” img_size=”medium”][fwp-anim-text animated=”true” animation=”enter right move 10px over 1s after”]“I wouldn’t be going to college without my Big Brother Rahul, honestly. I remember when I was worrying about my application and the FAFSA process—I didn’t know what to do and my parents didn’t know what to do either, they would give me advice but didn’t know exactly how to do the application. Rahul came to my house and showed me what to do. I can’t thank him enough—I got accepted to Cal State Fresno.”

—Little Brother Jorge[/fwp-anim-text][vc_empty_space height=”32px”][vc_single_image image=”3477″ alignment=”center” border_color=”grey” img_link_large=”” img_link_target=”_self” img_size=”medium”][fwp-anim-text animated=”true” animation=”enter right move 10px over 1s after”]“In the fall, I’ll be starting at Tufts University studying electrical engineering. I just want to say that having Ben in my life—he’s been my Big Brother for a little over three years—he’s been very supportive of all my options for my future. … I just want to say thank you for everything. Without this program, I wouldn’t have this opportunity.”

—Little Brother Christopher[/fwp-anim-text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”3483″ alignment=”center” border_color=”grey” img_link_large=”” img_link_target=”_self” img_size=”medium”][fwp-anim-text animated=”true” animation=”enter right move 10px over 1s after”]“[My Big Brother Dan] has been with me through everything—from when I had no motivation to go to school to the point where I stand now where I’m super pumped to go to college. … Without Big Brothers Big Sisters, I don’t think I’d be going to college and I don’t think I’d be pursuing my dream to get my degree in business administration.”

—Little Brother Carlos[/fwp-anim-text][vc_empty_space height=”32px”][vc_single_image image=”3480″ alignment=”center” border_color=”grey” img_link_large=”” img_link_target=”_self” img_size=”medium”][fwp-anim-text animated=”true” animation=”enter right move 10px over 1s after”]“My Big Brother Tyler is the most influential person in my life. It probably goes Gandhi, Jesus, Tyler. But seriously, he got paired me with me probably in like … the worst part of a child’s life. …I definitely wouldn’t be able to be where I am without Tyler. … And it’s good to know that the entire foundation is behind me and wants me to succeed as well.”

—Little Brother Shane[/fwp-anim-text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1469206058414{background-color: #dddddd !important;}”][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_empty_space height=”9px”][fwp-anim-text animated=”true” animation=”enter right move 10px over 1s after”]

Mentoring matters. Thank you to all of our mentors who are helping us change the lives of youth in our community for the better, forever. Watch a special thank you video below, to our mentors from all of us here at BBBS!

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