Operation Bigs

A youth mentoring program for those who serve our country.

Serving the San Diego Military Community

Being a child in a military family isn’t easy. Isolation, frequent relocations, and the stress of a parent’s active duty or deployment can weigh heavily on a child. Feelings of instability and loneliness are common hurdles that many military youth experience. Children of military families deserve constant, supportive presence from adults who understand their world and provide stability during periods of change. Operation Bigs is a vital youth mentoring program designed to provide a steady and caring relationship to help children navigate the emotional impact of military life and unlock their full potential.

MAKING AN IMPACT FOR SAN DIEGO MILITARY FAMILIES

Children in military families encounter unique obstacles like frequent moves, school changes, and separation during deployments.

Our youth mentorship program matches “Littles” with “Bigs” to help them navigate military life’s complexities and foster their inherent potential, because every child deserves a mentor to help bridge the gap.

Match Story:

Meet Big Brother David & Little Brother Emanon

Six years in, the bond between Big Brother David and Little Brother Emanon shows what steady mentorship can make possible. Emanon joined at 13 looking for a positive male role model. Today, he is in his second year studying electrical engineering at SDSU while balancing a nearly full-time job.

Emanon’s father is a Marine Corps veteran, and David served in the Air Force from 1999 to 2005.

Together, they have built something lasting. At David’s recent wedding, guests approached Emanon to share how often David talks about him. It was a powerful reminder that this relationship goes both ways. Through years of showing up, David has helped Emanon grow into a confident, capable young man who is building a strong future for himself.

When Emanon’s mom was asked how the match has impacted him, she replied:

“How hasn’t it? David became the support Emanon needed, even teaching him to shave.”

– Emanon’s Mom, Gabby

Since the on-base launch at Camp Pendleton, the program has spread across San Diego to serve youth through both site-based and community mentoring programs and has been recognized as one of the most successful military mentoring programs in the country.

To date, Operation Bigs has inspired the expansion of over 30 Big Brothers Big Sisters affiliates across the country.

“I have changed drastically as a person, both physically and mentally, in the most positive ways possible, with Tim playing a large part in that for many years of my childhood.”

– Little Brother Christofer

How Operation Bigs Changes Lives

Since its launch at Camp Pendleton in 2004, Operation Bigs has demonstrated clear success by providing crucial stability and mentorship to children facing the unique challenges of military life.

Operation Bigs has been recognized as one of the most successful military youth mentoring programs in the country.
The program has inspired the expansion of over 30 Big Brothers Big Sisters affiliates across the country.

Operation Bigs is powered by strong community partnerships that make unique, high-impact experiences possible.

Wings for Littles offers an extraordinary behind-the-scenes experience at MCAS Miramar, including flying in F-18 Simulators, touring jets, and Q&A sessions with pilots from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 232 and 323 (VMFA-232, VMFA-323).
Operation Bigs receives essential funding in part from the Bob Woodruff Foundation, an organization dedicated to ensuring stable and successful futures for our nation’s veterans, service members, and their families.

20+ Years of Guiding Military-Connected Youth

To date, Operation Bigs has served thousands of Navy and Marine Corps children nationwide. Supporting our nation’s military families is a top priority, and at Big Brothers Big Sisters of San Diego County, it starts with Operation Bigs.

Partnering for Your Child's Success

As the parent or guardian, you’re the expert of your child, and your involvement is essential for a successful match in our youth mentoring program. We partner with you from the very beginning to ensure your child receives the support and attention they deserve.

Your critical role as a partner in the matching process includes:

Approving the Match: We’ll ask you to provide detailed information about your child’s strengths and needs, and you and your child will have the final approval of the Big Brother or Big Sister match.
Ongoing Communication: You will remain closely involved after approving the match. This includes approving activities and outings, actively asking your child about their time with their big, and sharing any milestones or progress with the agency staff. We welcome your feedback at any time, even though we contact you regularly.
Safety and Training: You’ll participate in and reinforce mandatory child safety training provided by the Operation Bigs staff. This team is highly trained, with certifications in areas like child abuse and Mental Health First Aid.

Operation Bigs is one of the most specialized mentoring programs in San Diego dedicated to providing stability and care to children from military families, and your partnership ensures the match is impactful.

Questions?

Real Families. Real Impacts.

Thanks to the Jack in the Box Foundation, The May & Stanley Smith Foundation, The Farrell Family Foundation and so many other community supporters, the Operation Bigs program continues to grow. But in order to serve our community’s large number of military children, additional support is still needed.

If you want to support our military through a donation to the Operation Bigs program, please contact Talia Katzir, Director of Philanthropy, at TaliaK@SDBigs.org or (858) 536-4900 x205.

Former First Lady Michelle Obama came to visit our Operation Bigs program in 2010, and when she visited, we were honored by her remarks to the Camp Pendleton Community.

“A wonderful program that we were proud to help celebrate at the White House during National Mentoring Month — that was Big Brothers Big Sisters of San Diego and their ‘Operation Bigs,’ which provides mentors to so many great military kids here at Pendleton.”

– Former First Lady Michelle Obama