LAIKA and BBBSLA Launch Wildwood Heroes Campaign Celebrating Mentorship and Courage

LOS ANGELES, On September 3, 2026, LAIKA, the Academy Award-nominated animation studio, and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles (BBBSLA) launched the Wildwood Heroes campaign, a national storytelling initiative aimed at celebrating the courage of young people and their mentors. The campaign, inspired by LAIKA's upcoming animated feature Wildwood, premieres on October 23, 2026, is a partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BBBSA).

The campaign kicks off with Zoe, a 14-year-old from Los Angeles, and her mentor Kaeti. Zoe, who has faced significant changes in her life following the 2025 Southern California wildfires, has shown remarkable resilience in starting over in a new school and building new friendships. Her relationship with Kaeti has been instrumental in helping her navigate these challenges with confidence and curiosity.

"Zoe's story is a powerful reminder that courage can be found in taking the next step when the future is uncertain. Having someone like Kaeti by her side has helped Zoe embrace new experiences with confidence and curiosity," said Lauren Plichta, President and CEO of BBBSLA. "Our mission is to help young people build confidence, discover their strengths, and see new possibilities for their future. Zoe and Kaeti are the perfect example of what our mentoring programs can achieve."

The Wildwood Heroes campaign will continue to share stories of courage and mentorship from across the United States. Each story will highlight a unique young person and the mentor who has helped them navigate challenges, embrace new opportunities, and envision a bright future. The next set of Wildwood Heroes will be introduced from communities beyond Los Angeles, expanding the campaign's reach to new audiences.

David Burke, Chief Marketing and Operations Officer of LAIKA, expressed, "Remarkable things happen when young people have someone who believes in them. Wildwood was brought to life by hundreds of artists, many of whom were encouraged and guided by mentors and advocates along their own paths. That shared belief in the power of mentorship is why we are so proud to partner with BBBSLA on the Wildwood Heroes program."

For more than 70 years, BBBSLA has been connecting young people with caring adult mentors. Each year, BBBSLA serves approximately 1,300 to 1,500 youth across Los Angeles County, providing guidance, encouragement, and support during pivotal moments in their lives. The organization's evidence-based approach has been shown to have a significant positive impact on its participants. According to the 2025 Youth Mentorship Access Report by The Harris Poll, 84% of young people say mentorship opens doors to new opportunities, while 83% say it helps bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world success. Long-term research from Harvard University found that participants in Big Brothers Big Sisters mentoring programs earned significantly more as adults and experienced measurable gains in economic mobility.

The Wildwood Heroes campaign will feature short-form videos, digital storytelling, written profiles, and social media collaborations shared across BBBSLA, LAIKA, BBBSA, and participating Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies. Additional opportunities for national amplification are planned.

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