Running for Something Bigger: The Magic of Mentorship

My name is Angel Hernandez and I’m proud to run in this year’s 5K during the Disneyland® Half Marathon Weekend, presented by Honda on behalf of the official beneficiary, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County & the Inland Empire.

My journey with Big Brothers Big Sisters began 10 years ago, when I was matched with my volunteer Big Brother, Chris. At the time, I didn’t believe he would stay. My father was mostly absent, and the moments he did show up were marked by anger, alcoholism, and resentment. Trust didn’t come easily.

But Chris changed that. He showed up for me consistently, a couple of times a month, year after year. During our visits, I finally felt like I could just be a kid. He helped me understand that the challenges I carried, including a father battling addiction, a disability (Erb’s palsy) that made me feel different, and a family struggling to get by, did not determine my value.

Our outings were simple: grabbing Taco Bell, going to the gym, or joining him and his friends at church. In those small moments, he taught me big lessons about forgiveness, gratitude, and hope. In 2024, Chris and I were honored as Big and Little of the Year.

Today, I’m a third-year mechanical engineering student at California State University, Long Beach. I carry those lessons into my dream of designing prosthetics and orthotics for kids like me. Because of Chris, I define success not by achievement but by kindness, virtue, and the blessings I can bring to others. Thanks to him, I see life not as a series of obstacles but as opportunities for growth. I borrowed his belief in me until I could grow my own.

This year’s race theme focuses on celebrating what brings us joy, and I can’t think of anything more fitting than mentorship. I know Chris has found joy in celebrating my successes as if they were his own.

Mentorship is magic. Like running, it requires discipline and consistency. It isn’t about instant gratification but about putting in the work that leads to extraordinary, life-changing results. This year, I’ve stepped into a new role as a Big Brothers Big Sisters Voice of Potential, sharing my story in hopes of inspiring more mentors to volunteer. Many young people, especially those facing challenges like I once did, are waiting for someone to stand in their corner.

If you feel called to make a difference, visit ocbigs.org/volunteer to learn about becoming a Big or ocbigs.org/donate to support the program that helped change my life.