Voice of Potential: Empowering Youth Voices to Inspire Change
We believe that every person is born with potential and has a story worth sharing. The Voice of Potential initiative uplifts our remarkable mentees to serve as youth ambassadors—real-life advocates who represent the power of mentorship and the resilience of our youth.
We’re not just empowering youth voices—we’re giving them the platform and power to lead. Through training and speaking opportunities, our VoPs develop the confidence and communication skills to share their mentorship journeys and inspire their peers and communities into action.
MEET OUR 2024–2025 YOUTH AMBASSADORS
Get to know the inspiring youth selected for this year’s Voice of Potential cohort. Each one brings a powerful story of perseverance, personal growth, and the transformative power of mentorship.
Tristan Griffin, Age 17
“Being in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program changed my life for the better. It taught me tons and supported me when I needed it most. Now, I get to tell other young people, and those thinking about volunteering, just how much this program can benefit them. I just want to show them how this could be a game changer for them, just like it was for me. I’m pumped for my shot to give back to a community that’s done so much for me and to keep the cycle of mentorship going strong.”
Jazelle Lopez, Age 15
“My greatest aspiration is to be an agent of change.The future is in the hands of young people today, and collectively we want to make the world a better place. But I know one person can truly make a difference, and that’s what I hope for in the near future. The way Jennifer has pushed and helped me pursue my dreams is what I see myself doing as the Voice of Potential.”
Alessandro Torrejon, Age 18
“As the firstborn son to immigrant parents, I never thought that I’d be where I’m at today—college. Not just any college, but one I’d wanted to get into since I was seven years old, Chapman University. I want other children, especially children in my community that I know lack a mentor figure in their life, to have the same shot at being successful as I have had. I’m forever grateful for the opportunities and resources that BBBS has given to me and my family, and I feel that it’s my moral duty to pay it forward to those who truly need their potential ignited. I want to help create a generation of mentors like Ralph and mentees like myself who want to see others succeed.”
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County and the Inland Empire is proud to be empowering youth voices to support the next generation of changemakers.
Whether they’re speaking at donor events, leading youth panels, or being featured in the media, our VoPs are making their voices heard!
