RIVERSIDE Calif. – May 6, 2025 – Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Inland Empire (BBBS IE) honored its 2025 Mentors of the Year at a special awards celebration held on Wed., April 30, 2025, at the Grier Pavilion at Riverside City Hall. These outstanding individuals were selected from the agencys Community, High School Bigs and Workplace Mentoring programs for their exceptional impact on young people locally.
The event featured heartfelt remarks by Riverside City Council Member Clarissa Cervantes and a video presentation by Riverside Mayor Patricia Lock Dawson. Both officials emphasized the vital role played by mentoring in igniting the power and potential of the next generation.
Council Member Cervantes shared how mentors helped her through personal battles with depression as a young person, crediting their support with shaping her future and even saving her life. Her remarks echoed the core mission of Big Brothers Big Sisters: that every young person is worthy of being seen, heard and celebrated.
“You are worthy. You are loved. And every moment your Big spends with you, thats love in action. That time is saving lives,” Cevantes noted.
2025 Mentors of the Year Honorees
Community mentoring:
- Susan Hinrichs (Moreno Valley)
- Jonathan Rangel (Rancho Cucamonga)
High School Bigs:
- Karla Louisa, Jurupa Hills High School
- Gavin McGowan, Ramona High School
Workplace Mentoring:
- Stephanie Karnes, Norco Community College
- Steve Gomez, Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation
Each honoree was recognized for their unique role in guiding and inspiring youth – whether through community service, peer leadership, or preparing the next generation for college and career success.
High School Mentor of the Year Gavin McGowan shared how the program profoundly reshaped his sense of leadership and purpose. As an only child raised by a single mother, he embraced the role of a Big with dedication and heart.
“Everywhere I went, I saw my Littles – in my teammates, in people facing food insecurity, in those fighting for justice. And I asked myself, what would I do if that were them? That question has driven me to lead, to serve, to care. Thats what Big Brothers Big Sisters gave me,” McGowan said.
To learn more about the BBBS IE 2025 Mentors of the Year winners, visit: https://www.iebigs.org/blog/2025-mentors-of-the-year/
There is currently a waiting list of BBBS IE Littles to be matched with a Big for mentoring, and the organization is actively seeking volunteers. Find out more at https://www.iebigs.org/volunteer/.
###
About Big Brothers Big Sisters
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County and Inland Empire is a non-profit 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