For the 3rd year in a row, Blizzard partnered with the Orange County District Attorney’s office to participate in a mentorship program with OC GRIP, a nonprofit organization supporting youth in local schools. The organization’s mission is to help students improve in three areas: attendance, academics, and attitude.

This year, more than 50 Blizzard employees from our Irvine office mentored 80 students across 8 schools. Mentors split into teams and visited schools several times, developing activities designed to foster positive relationships, inspire creativity through games, and to create exposure to careers in gaming.

After completing the program, students were invited to ‘Blizzard Day’ at our Irvine campus to participate in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education activities with their Blizzard mentors. With help from our friends Child Creativity Lab, we challenged students to use their creativity and imagination to build their own unique game character using upcycled materials. 

The program had a positive impact on all involved. Here are a few quotes from our Blizzard volunteers:

I love connecting with the kids, they’re so enthusiastic, engaged and really want to have fun – very relatable traits to Blizzard employees. Blizzard Day held some truly special moments for me. The first was when a student took the stage and delivered the most eloquent “thank you” to the mentors and OC GRIP staff. I thought, “WOW! If the world will be in the hands of kids like this, we’re gonna be fine”. The second was when one of my more rambunctious students pulled me aside as we were gathering to say goodbye and quietly asked if he could give me a hug. These connections are priceless.

Being involved has had a tremendous impact on me. I’m proud to be part of a company that believes in giving back to our community. Lending support, giving a boost for those that need one and making a difference in a young person’s life is a profound opportunity. Something strange and wonderful also happens during these events…we’re supposed to be giving the students support but we end up getting much more back from them in hope, enthusiasm and love. It’s a beautiful thing.