Local Leaders Help Communities Serve More Children through Mentorship
Tampa, Fla. (June 30, 2016) – Big Brothers Big Sisters of America recognized six outstanding affiliates that have demonstrated outstanding leadership and have increased the number of children served in their communities. The top local agencies and agency boards recognized during the 2016 National Conference Gala in Orlando include Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Iowa, BBBS of the Midlands, BBBS of San Luis Obispo County, BBBS of San Diego County, BBBS of the Ozarks, and the Big Sister Association of Greater Boston.
“We are proud of all of our more than 300 affiliates and the thousands of children they serve across the country, but these agencies and boards went above and beyond the traditional standards of success,” said Pam Iorio, President and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. “These agencies and boards show extraordinary leadership and have huge impacts in the communities they serve.”
Agencies of the Year – All of the winning agencies have shown consistent growth through planning and programming that ultimately help the volunteers and children they serve.
- Small-Mid Agency Alliance Agency of the Year, Big Brothers Big Sisters of San Luis Obispo County, built an agency strategy that led to diversified funding and low employee turnover – helping to provide the best leadership for their community.
- Mid-Large Agency Alliance Agency of the Year, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Ozarks, grew revenue by 22 percent, leading to the ability to serve 17 percent more matches.
- The Large Agency Alliance Agency of the Year, Big Sister Association of Greater Boston, served more than 2,700 children through college campus visits and STEM-driven and physical fitness programs.
Boards of the Year – By guiding staff and shaping programming, agency boards also have a profound impact on the success of the agencies in their communities.
- Small-Mid Agency Alliance Board of the Year, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Iowa, reduced Littles who entered the judicial system and decreased truancy.
- The Mid-Large Agency Alliance Board of the Year, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Midlands, elevated employee retention rates and the length of their matches.
- Large Agency Alliance Board of the Year, Big Brothers Big Sisters of San Diego County, successfully navigated a difficult transition and introduced a robust 2016-2020 strategic plan for serving more children in need of a supportive adult mentor.
Agency leaders from Big Brothers Big Sisters’ Nationwide Leadership Council select the winners of the Agency of the Year and Board of the Year awards, based onsubstantial growth in the number of children served, quality and length of mentoring matches and increased revenues that support the agency financially.
About Big Brothers Big Sisters of America
Big Brothers Big Sisters provides children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported one-to-one mentoring relationships that change their lives for the better, forever. Big Brothers Big Sisters ensures that the children in its program achieve such measurable outcomes as educational success, avoidance of risky behaviors, higher aspirations, greater confidence and better relationships. This mission has been the cornerstone of the organization’s 111-year history. With over 300 agencies across the country, Big Brothers Big Sisters serves nearly 170,000 children (“Littles”), their families and 170,000 volunteer mentors (“Bigs”). Learn more at www.BigBrothersBigSisters.org.
