SANTA ANA, Calif. – May 27, 2025 – Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County and the Inland Empire (BBBS OC/IE) has teamed up with former NBA star Josh Childress and the Childress Family Foundation to launch a powerful new initiative that uses sports as a platform to connect youth with positive role models in Orange County and the Inland Empire through the organizations Sports Buddies program.
The partnership integrates Childress legacy of athletic excellence and community empowerment with BBBS OC/IEs proven mentorship model. Together, the organizations aim to serve more youth, particularly those on the agencys waitlist, by building connections between young people and mentors through group sports experiences.
For Childress, the partnership is personal.
“Sports opened doors for me, but it was the role models in my life ‘my brothers, my coaches’ who helped me walk through them,” said Childress, founder and CEO of the Childress Family Foundation. “This collaboration is about offering that same kind of guidance to young people – from mentors who believe in them and help them see whats possible.”
Unlike traditional mentoring models, the BBBS OC/IE Sports Buddies program emphasizes mentorship through motion while reducing the complexity of volunteering by offering fully-facilitated outings. Those experiences include everything from workouts and yoga to basketball clinics and team-building events. This structure not only increases access for volunteers but also accelerates trust-building between youth and mentors.
“Mentorship is one of the most effective ways to transform a young persons future, but volunteers are in short supply,” said Sloane Keane, CEO of BBBS OC/IE. “This partnership brings new energy, networks and experiences to our Sports Buddies program, allowing us to serve more youth who are waiting for someone to show up for them.”
Key elements of the partnership include:
– ~Expanded Volunteer Base: Childress will engage his network of business professionals and athletes to mentor youth currently on the BBBS OC/IE waitlist.
– ~Enhanced Youth Experiences: Existing matches will benefit from upgraded programming and venues such as collegiate campuses and pro sports arenas.
– ~Launch Event at The Marke Rooftop: The first joint event included a guided group workout in a state-of-the-art facility, followed by an elevated breakfast for youth and mentors to connect.
This collaboration reflects both organizations shared commitment to opportunity, access and community investment through the lasting impact of sports and mentorship. By combining movement with mentorship, the program promotes healthy habits, builds peer and adult relationships, and creates transformative experiences that foster confidence and character.
There is currently a waiting list of more than 100 Littles eager to be matched with a mentor, and the organization is actively seeking volunteers. To streamline the volunteer experience, BBBS OCI/E recently introduced its Mentorship Your Way quiz, an engaging tool that helps prospective mentors identify the program that best fits their lifestyle, interests and availability.
Learn more at www.ocbigs.org and www.iebigs.org.
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About Big Brothers Big Sisters — Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County and Inland Empire is a nonprofit organization that matches underserved youth and young adults with mentors to improve outcomes like growth and development, education, social and economic opportunity in our community. It is the largest youth mentoring organization in California, working closely with other BBBS agencies in the state and across the nation. Learn more at www.ocbigs.org and www.iebigs.org.
About the Childress Family Foundation — Founded by professional athlete and entrepreneur Josh Childress, the Childress Family Foundation is committed to mentorship, education, and empowering young student-athletes with the tools they need to succeedon the court, on the field, and in life.
