In Disney’s Lilo & Stitch, we meet two unlikely characters—a curious, lonely girl and a chaotic alien experiment. What begins as a clash of worlds slowly turns into something beautiful: a deep friendship rooted in empathy, loyalty, and love.

At the center of their story is a powerful Hawaiian concept: ‘Ohana’.

“Ohana means family. Family means nobody gets left behind… or forgotten.”

The Magic of Found Family

Lilo and her older sister, Nani, are doing their best to hold their small family together after losing their parents. When Stitch enters their lives, he’s seen as a threat—destructive, wild, and misunderstood. But Lilo sees something different. She sees someone who, like her, feels lost and needs a place to belong.

Through patience, love, and a lot of learning along the way, Stitch becomes a part of their family. Not because he’s perfect—but because they choose to love him anyway. That’s the beauty of found family. And that’s what mentorship is all about.

Mentorship: Choosing to Show Up for Someone

At Big Brothers Big Sisters, we see this every day. Our Bigs come from all walks of life. So do our Littles. What they have in common is the bond they build—and the decision to stand by one another no matter what.

Like Lilo and Stitch, these relationships aren’t always traditional. They’re real. They’re transformative. They’re about showing up for someone who may be different from you and accepting them just as they are.

Be Someone’s Ohana

There are thousands of kids across Florida waiting for someone to believe in them. Someone who will celebrate who they are, listen without judgment, and become a part of their chosen family.

Lilo & Stitch are characters owned by Disney. This reference is for inspirational purposes only and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Disney.