“VICIOUS” VICTOR ORTIZ TO FIGHT FOR THE
FUTURE OF OUR LOCAL YOUTH
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles is pleased to announce that top junior welterweight prospect, “Vicious” Victor Ortiz, has agreed to join forces with the agency to fight for the future of our local youth, by serving as a spokesperson for the agency and encouraging more responsible adults to become Big Brothers and Big Sisters, especially those in our Latino and African American communities.
OrtÃz was born and raised in Garden City, Kansas, the second of three children of Mexican immigrant parents. When he was seven years old, OrtÃz’s mother abandoned the family. Shortly thereafter, OrtÃz began boxing at the Garden City Boxing Club at the insistence of his father, an alcoholic who often beat his children following his wife’s departure. When OrtÃz was 13 years old, his father also abandoned the family, and OrtÃz and his two siblings were turned over to the Kansas foster care system, two years later he was reunited with his older sister, who took custody of him. He continued to box and won a Kansas Golden Gloves championship. Victor Ortiz has risen above a difficult upbringing to become a fighter many see as a future world champion.
“Victor Ortiz’s childhood represents the experience of so many of the Littles we serve at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles,” said Hector LaFarga, Jr., Vice President of Mentoring Programs. “Victor overcame the odds, and by encouraging more adults to become Bigs, we will make a positive impact on hundreds of children in our city, provide inspiration and direction so that they can become the secure and accomplished young men and women that define our future and improve our communities.”
“I faced a lot adversity as a child, and I only got through it because I was lucky enough to have people in my life who cared about me,” said Victor Ortiz. “I’m a fighter, but we all need to fight for the future of our youth, especially those that need it the most.”
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles is dedicated to empowering children who face economic, emotional and social challenges through a variety of programs, which provide a professionally-supported, one-to-one mentoring relationship with a positive role model.
For 55 years, the agency has assisted boys and girls in achieving their highest potential as they grow to become confident, competent and caring individuals through professionally supported one-to-one relationships with caring men and women. Their work is as elementary as putting an adult friend in a child’s life, and as essential as putting hope into a child’s future. Big Brothers Big Sisters have proven successful in creating and nurturing relationships between adults and children. Mentoring works-one young person at a time. For more information, please visit www.BBBSLA.org.