Big Brothers Big Sisters Twin Cities wins Agency of the Year Award
July 1, 2023, Samreen Saadi
We are thrilled to announce that Big Brothers Big Sisters Twin Cities won the 2022 (Large) Agency of the Year Award at the BBBS of America National Conference this year. “I’m overloaded with emotion, and also with pride and gratitude for all of our Littles, families, volunteers, and of course all of us, collectively and individually,” shared CEO Pat Sukhum with staff.
The Large Agency of the Year Award recognizes our work in the Twin Cities, from relocating to North Minneapolis in 2021, to engaging our local community to support youth through mentoring and program innovation in 2022. During that time, we created a new Community Engagement team to build and strengthen local partnerships in the counties we serve: Hennepin, Ramsey, Anoka, Dakota and Washington. We expanded our reach through complimentary mentoring partnerships, such as Girls Rise Up, and a new school-based group mentoring program. And, in response to community and staff feedback, we prioritized Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) initiatives: appointing a JEDI Board Member, conducting staff trainings, forming a JEDI Committee, and enhancing staff engagement and workplace culture through committees, affinity groups, professional development opportunities and staff feedback.
Each year, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America brings colleagues together from across the country at its annual conference to learn, spark innovation, exchange ideas, and celebrate youth mentoring and potential. Out of over 200 agencies, not one, not two, but all three Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies in Minnesota won BIG! Congratulations to our Minnesota partners Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Minnesota for winning the Mid-Large Agency of the Year Award, and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Minnesota’s Program Director, Ann Matvick, for being honored as 2023’s Program Staff Person of the Year.
This award is a collective win: for youth, families, volunteers, partners, staff, board and the greater Twin Cities community. Together, we are igniting the power and promise of youth in Minnesota!
