Central Valley group issues urgent plea for male mentors as governor seeks 10,000 volunteers

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central California issued an urgent appeal asking men in the Central San Joaquin Valley to step forward as mentors, citing long waits for boys who need male role models.

The recorded message said 80% of the children on the program’s waiting list are boys and that many face prolonged waits for a male mentor. It also said that in July Governor Gavin Newsom launched the "California men's service challenge," calling for 10,000 men to serve as mentors, coaches and community leaders to help close the gap.

The message attributed a statement to Governor Gavin Newsom that the lack of mentorship is contributing to "an alarming rise in suicide and disconnection among California's young men and boys," framing the recruitment drive as a public‑health concern.

A Fresno-area sergeant, not named in the recording, described six years of mentoring and the personal impact he has observed: "Mentorship truly, changes lives. I've seen it firsthand. He's grown so much over the years, and we've built a lot of memories. So, again, it truly matters." The recording used that testimony to underscore the program’s local impact.

The announcement said Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central California has served children and families for more than 60 years and listed service in Madera, Fresno and Tulare counties and surrounding areas, offering one‑on‑one mentoring relationships.

Next steps and how to volunteer were not specified in the recording; interested men were encouraged to contact the organization directly.