Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County & the Inland Empire recently announced the finalists for its 2025 Mentors of the Year in conjunction with National Mentoring Month. The nominees are from the agency’s Community, High School Bigs and Workplace Mentoring programs, and winners will be announced in late January. The recognition celebrates the contributions of the organization’s Bigs (mentors) and highlights the resiliency of its Littles (children and teens matched with mentors), emphasizing the impact that mentorship can have on young people, volunteers and the community. “These invaluable volunteer mentors are at the heart of our success in helping our youth achieve their full potential. They represent the core of our efforts to build social and economic mobility by closing education gaps, enhancing mental health, encouraging positive behaviors and preparing for successful careers,” Sloane Keane, chief executive officer of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County & the Inland Empire, said in a news release. For the Community program awards, Bigs, as part of Big-Little matches, are evaluated based on how they have demonstrated guidance, support and inspiration by helping their Littles overcome challenges, achieve personal and academic goals and reach significant milestones. Considerations include their role in fostering confidence, building strong relationships and shaping positive behaviors. Inland Empire finalists in the Community category are Jonathan Rangel of Rancho Cucamonga; Kevin Gaytan, Ricardo Guido and Emily Linville, all of Riverside; Susan Hinrichs of Moreno Valley; and Darlene Tako of Laguna Woods, according to the news release. High school Mentors of the Year are selected with a focus on the mentor as a leader and the impact they have had on their mentee, campus and community. This year, 12 high schools in Orange County and the Inland Empire are being recognized. Workplace Mentors of the Year have made a significant and identifiable impact on their mentees’ college and career readiness. Companies receiving recognition this year include Banc of California, Ingram Micro, Norco Community College and the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians. Winners in each category will be recognized at awards celebrations in the spring. In addition, select winners in the Community category will be nominated to participate in the national Big Brothers Big Sisters Bigs and Littles of the Year program, according to the news release. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County & the Inland Empire has 20,033 alumni, with 3,906 youth served and 101,723 volunteer hours logged in fiscal 2024, according to the news release. The nonprofit also reports that 98% of participating youth graduate from high school on time, 87% pursue higher education and 95% show socio-economic growth. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County & the Inland Empire has a waiting list of young people to be matched for mentoring, and the organization is seeking volunteer mentors. For information, go to ocbigs.org.