RIVERSIDE, Calif. – June 20, 2025 – Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Inland Empire held its annual Mental Health Summit on Sat., June 14, 2025, at the Riverside Office of Education Conference Center in Riverside, Calif., under the theme “Cultivating Community, Nurturing Wellness.”
The summit focused on mental health and wellness initiatives for parents/guardians, mentors and mentees. Themes included social connection, economic stability, life-long learning and safe environments for youth.
Offered during the event were hands-on workshops and listening sessions to educate each stakeholder. The workshops and sessions were grounded in the Vital Conditions for Well-Being, seven essential areas that help people live healthy, meaningful lives. Other highlights of the event included a youth panel featuring personal stories as well as breakout sessions on Connection and Wellness and on Vital Conditions for Thriving People.
“Big Brothers Big Sisters is focused on the power of mentorship but is also keenly aware that families, mentors and youth thrive when they are supported,” said Sloane Keane, CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County & the Inland Empire. “Well-being is not something we achieve alone. It is built through relationships, support systems and shared responsibility.”
Welcome remarks were delivered by Dominique Samario, Big Sister and Chief Strategic Partnerships & Communications Officer, Riverside County Office of Education. The keynote address on “IEHP’s role in Community Wellness” was provided by Cesar Armendariz, Senior Director of Community Health, Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP). The youth panel was moderated by Miranda Canseco, former Big Sister and Public Information Officer, San Bernardino County Department of Behavioral Health. A broad range of area experts on youth mental health issues and resources participated in the breakout sessions.
Sponsors for the summit included Tarsadia Foundation, Teichert Foundation, Riverside County Office of Education, Riverside County First District Supervisor Jose Medina, Chick-Fil-A Rialto, San Bernardino County Department of Behavioral Health, Alliant University International, and Living Spaces.
For the past three years, this event has been supported through grants. The agency is seeking funding sources to continue the series next year. There is also a waiting list across Orange County and the Inland Empire of nearly 100 Littles eager to be matched with a mentor, and the organization is actively seeking volunteers. Learn more at https://www.ocbigs.org/volunteer and https://www.iebigs.org/volunteer.
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.
Media Contact:
Shaye McClory
KCOMM
shaye@kcomm.com