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Celebrating Courage with the Wildwood Heroes Campaign

In a powerful merging of animation and real-life inspiration, LAIKA, the beloved animation studio, has partnered with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles to launch the Wildwood Heroes campaign. This national initiative aims to bring real stories of courage, perseverance, and the transformative power of mentorship to audiences across the United States, coinciding with the release of LAIKA's new animated feature, Wildwood, scheduled to debut on October 23, 2026.

A Story of Courage Beyond the Screen

Every day, young people encounter challenges that demand exceptional bravery, reminiscent of the storyline from Wildwood. The film's heroine embarks on a daunting journey to protect someone she loves, while in the real world, countless youths navigate their life challenges with the invaluable support of mentors. The Wildwood Heroes campaign seeks to highlight these true stories by showcasing young individuals who embody the spirit of courage found in the film.

Zoe: The First Wildwood Hero
The campaign kicked off in Los Angeles, introducing Zoe as the inaugural Wildwood Hero. Zoe, along with her dedicated Big Sister Kaeti, represents the essence of resilience. After witnessing the devastation of her home due to the Southern California wildfires in 2025, Zoe faced the daunting task of adjusting to a new school and forming new friendships. However, through her bond with Kaeti, she found the strength to embrace unfamiliar environments and challenges with unwavering curiosity and confidence.

"Zoe's story demonstrates that courage is about stepping into the unknown, especially with someone who believes in you by your side," shared Lauren Plichta, president and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles. Through providing personal support to young people like Zoe, BBBSLA witnesses firsthand how mentors can ignite confidence, instill hope, and significantly impact a young person's outlook on life.

Expanding the Message of Courage

The Wildwood Heroes campaign is set to extend its reach, with more young heroes being recognized from across various Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies nationwide. Each story celebrated in the campaign will focus on different young individuals and their mentors, showcasing their unique journeys of overcoming life's hurdles and discovering exciting new opportunities.

David Burke, LAIKA's Chief Marketing and Operations Officer, emphasized the importance of mentorship, stating, "When young people have advocates who believe in them, astonishing achievements can occur. Wildwood is a testament to that collaboration between creativity and guidance – something we still witness in the amazing efforts of Big Brothers Big Sisters." Together, they aim to inspire youth to reach for their dreams, build their confidence, and appreciate their own potential.

The Significant Role of Mentorship

The concept of mentorship takes center stage as the campaign unfolds, reinforcing the positive outcomes associated with such relationships. Inspired by the illustrated novel by Colin Meloy and Carson Ellis, Wildwood explores themes of bravery, friendship, and resilience. Parallel to this narrative, the Wildwood Heroes campaign showcases real-life examples where mentorship has made a measurable difference in the lives of youth.

For over seven decades, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles has been cultivating meaningful one-to-one mentoring environments, positively influencing approximately 1,300 to 1,500 youth each year. The necessary role of mentorship was highlighted further in the findings of the 2025 Youth Mentorship Access Report, which revealed that 84% of young individuals felt mentorship opened doors to new opportunities, while 83% acknowledged its role in bridging the gap between education and real-world achievements.

Harvard University's research has further corroborated the benefits of such initiatives, indicating that participants of Big Brothers Big Sisters programs tend to earn higher salaries and experience improved economic mobility in adulthood. The impact of mentorship resonates with the impressive statistics from BBBSLA, showing that 95% of mentees graduate high school, 94% pursue higher education, and 92% report reduced symptoms of depression. This data underscores the profound difference that just one caring adult can make in a child's life.

Join the Celebration

The Wildwood Heroes campaign will utilize various forms of media such as short videos, digital storytelling, and written profiles to reach broad audiences. This approach invites each member of the community to acknowledge and celebrate the mentors who empower youth to journey through life’s greatest adventures. Furthermore, there’s a call to action for those considering stepping into a mentorship role to support young individuals in their quest for courage and achievement.

To learn more about becoming a Big Brother or Big Sister and helping a young person uncover their own potential, visit BBBS.org/WildwoodHeroes.

Both Big Brothers Big Sisters of America and LAIKA exemplify the impact of mentorship combined with storytelling, fostering connections that not only inspire but also uplift the next generation.

About the Organizations

Founded in 1904, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America stands as the leading youth mentoring organization in the U.S., dedicated to fostering one-to-one mentoring relationships that unlock the promise of youth. LAIKA, renowned for its innovative animation, has produced multiple critically acclaimed films, continuously setting the benchmark for excellence in storytelling. With both organizations focused on youth empowerment, their collaboration promises to inspire hope and courage throughout communities nationwide.