BBBSNW Named Small Agency of the Year

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Washington (BBBSNW) has been named Big Brothers Big Sisters of America's National 2010 Small Agency of the Year for excellence in serving children last year and significantly increasing revenues.  BBBSNW's Board of Directors was also recognized as the Small Agency Board of the Year.  Just 3 of the national mentoring network's nearly 400 agencies were nominated for this award.
"Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Washington represents the best of the best of our agencies, those that made the greatest strides in 2009.  Their success is the result of dedicated board and staff members who have worked strategically to engage community backing, allowing the agency to carefully make more mentoring matches and to support the children, families and volunteers they serve for longer periods of time," said Big Brothers Big Sisters of America President and Chief Executive Officer Karen J. Mathis.  "Independent studies find longer matches yield stronger results, with children performing better in and out of school."
Judging for the Agency of the Year Award is based on specific criteria that demonstrate excellence in increasing the number of children served, sustaining long-term mentoring matches and increasing revenues.  A national panel of past winners conducted the judging.  In addition to the award, BBBSNW also received a $5,000 Grant of Excellence from the Arby's Foundation.
"I am proud to be a part of a community committed to helping our most vulnerable children succeed," said Rex Dudley, CEO.  "This award says as much about our supporters as it does about the agency itself.  In this economy, it is more important than ever that we recognize and support what works to help children stay in school and away from negative influences."