PIMCO Employees Go 'Big' for Needy OC Kids

PIMCO employees work 10 to 12 hour days in Newport Beach, but that doesn't keep them from volunteering their spare time to help inspire a group of underprivileged children in Santa Ana.

Thirty PIMCO employees are currently part of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County's first Workplace Mentoring Program, working hand-in-hand with a group of children from El Sol Science and Arts Academy in Santa Ana. The sixth and seventh-grade students are bused to Newport Beach once a month for 90 minute sessions that include homework help, group activities to address issues including bullying, self-esteem building and other one-on-one projects.

"I'm the big sister at my house, so its nice for me to have a big sister to talk to about what I am dealing with and need help with," Genesis, a 7th grade El Sol student, said about her 'Big Sister' from PIMCO. "She's really caring and I appreciate her helping me."

The Big Brothers Big Sisters mentoring sessions with PIMCO employees are held at the company's Newport Beach headquarters. Melissa Beck, chief operating officer at Big Brothers Big Sisters, said the mentoring sessions are crafted to give El Sol students support in all aspects of life.

"The program is intended to build stable relationships between the 'Bigs' and 'Littles' that will impact the children in a positive way and hopefully last throughout their lives," Beck explained.

Because PIMCO is a financial institution, the mentors are highly skilled in math and science, which has proven to be helpful to the El Sol students.

"It's a great advantage for these children because many of them don't have people at home to help them with homework in those areas," said Olivia Albrecht,  a new Big Sister and PIMCO's vice president, global product manager.

Genesis said support in those areas are exactly what her Big Sister, Allison, has done for her.

"She's very helpful with homework and intelligent," Genesis said. "Her favorite subject is math, which I am not that good with, so when she helps me, I understand a lot better."

But the mentoring isn't just good for the El Sol students; Albrecht said the sessions have also enriched the employees' lives too.

"We spend most of our days working long hours, so having these children come to our building helps us feel like we are a part of the community," Albrecht said. "For those of us who do not have children yet, it make us feel like we are helping add positivity to a child's life."

To find out more about Big Brothers Big Sisters Orange County, visit bigbrooc.org.