Girl Scouts and Big Brothers Big Sisters Team Up in Orange County to Provide Girls Greater Access to Mentorship Opportunities and Leadership Experiences
December 16, 2021
Two iconic organizations join forces to help girls build meaningful relationships, make valuable connections, foster self-confidence as mental health challenges saddle today's youth.
Irvine, California (12/16/2021) -- Girl Scouts of Orange County (GSOC) and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County and the Inland Empire (BBBS) are working together to bring their outcome-driven experiences and programs to more girls across Orange County. The two organizations are combining efforts to provide greater access to leadership and mentoring opportunities in the areas of STEM, outdoors, life skills, and entrepreneurship.
Through a national partnership established by Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) and Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BBBSA), local BBBSA agencies and corresponding Girl Scout councils in 14 markets, including Orange County, will partner to recruit and enroll "matches" of Big Sisters (volunteers) and Little Sisters. The matches will have access to education-based tools and guidance during 2022. This will enable even more girls to build important skills through the Girl Scout Leadership Experience. Girl Scouts and BBBSA plan to implement this partnership more broadly in the coming years.
Both organizations recognize the impact that forging meaningful connections with others and cultivating a sense of belonging have on a young person's life, especially girls. At a time when students are struggling with their mental and emotional health following a year and a half of remote learning, this intervention and connection is needed now more than ever.
"Mental wellbeing is top of mind for both girls and their caregivers," shared GSOC CEO Vikki Shepp. "Girl Scouts' fun, educational, and research-based programming leaves a positive, lasting impact on girls as young as kindergarten and helps them develop into responsible, caring, and engaged leaders. The world needs Girl Scouts more than ever, and we are thrilled to partner with Big Brothers Big Sisters to support their caring mentors with our programming as they empower girls to stay on a path to a successful future."
With nearly nine of 10 Girl Scout alums achieving a high sense of life satisfaction both personally and professionally, and 93 percent of BBBSA youth participants (affectionately called “Littles”) attributing the presence of an adult who cares and looks out for them as very important in helping them achieve their goals, both Big Brother Big Sisters and Girl Scouts are well equipped to support girls in Orange County and communities nationwide.
"BBBS is committed to nurturing the growth and continued success of today's youth, and we're excited to announce this new alliance with Girl Scouts to bring vital resources to young girls seeking guidance and direction," said Sloane Keane, CEO, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County and the Inland Empire. "These new connections and educational tools will better equip young girls to conquer their struggles and the everyday obstacles they're facing in today's world. Together, we can and will create positive and impactful change for the future women of our country."
To learn more about the offerings and overall partnership, visit bbbs.org/girl-scouts. To learn more about Girl Scouts and volunteer opportunities, visit girlscoutsoc.org/join. To learn more about Big Brothers Big Sisters mentorship and volunteer opportunities, visit ocbigs.org/volunteer.
About Girl Scouts of Orange County
We are 25,000 strong – nearly 15,000 girls and 10,000 volunteers and adult members who bring girls’ dreams to life and work together to build a better world. Through programs reaching girls in every zip code in Orange County, Girl Scouts of all backgrounds and abilities can be unapologetically themselves as they discover their strengths and rise to meet new challenges—whether they want to climb to the top of a tree or the top of their class, lace up their boots for a hike or advocate for climate justice, or make their first best friends. Backed by trusted adult volunteers, mentors, and thousands of alums, Girl Scouts lead the way as they find their voices and make changes that affect the issues most important to them. To join us, volunteer, reconnect, or donate, visit girlscoutsoc.org.
About Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County and the Inland Empire:
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County and the Inland Empire creates and supports one- to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth. Our mentoring model was created on the premise of youth equity and empowerment, designed to meet kids where they are and empower them with the skills to transform their lives and their communities. Since 1958, we have provided local youth facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported mentoring connections that provide a direct and measurable impact on their lives. With a mentor, youth are able to build emotional intelligence and social capital necessary to achieve educational milestones, set postsecondary plans and achieve a living wage job. Through mentoring, our aim is to reduce the number of disconnected youth in Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties and build a self- sufficient workforce with the potential to change the world. For more information, visit ocbigs.org or iebigs.org.
