Allentown, PA — June 23, 2015 — Big Brothers Big Sisters of America’s Nationwide Leadership Council has awarded Big Brothers Big Sisters Lehigh Valley its prestigious 2015 Quality Award. Only 12% of all Big Brothers Big Sisters affiliate agencies throughout the country were selected to receive the award, which is given to honor the leadership and staff of all agencies that provide each child served with the highest level of programming.
There are multiple criteria which a BBBS affiliate agency must meet to receive the Quality Award. An agency must serve a minimum of 150 children while raising $150,000 in revenue. In addition, it must achieve other key quality metrics in regards to match strength and child safety.
BBBSLV has yearly revenue of roughly $600,000 and has served nearly 350 children in one-to-one relationships in the current fiscal year.
Susan Bartels, Big Brothers Big Sisters Lehigh Valley’s CEO, attributes the award to the tireless dedication of the agency’s staff, board of directors and community partners.
“Earning the Quality Award is a top goal for every Big Brothers Big Sisters agency,” said Bartels. “Our team has worked relentlessly to better the lives of children in the Lehigh Valley. Each year, we set out to improve the quality of our programming, and we’ve really hit a milestone this year. It’s great to see our hard work pay off big-time.”
Information and photo provided by:
Alex Dapkewicz,
Marketing & Development Manager
adapkewicz@bbbslv.org
About Big Brothers Big Sisters Lehigh Valley
Since 1970, Big Brothers Big Sisters Lehigh Valley has operated under the belief that inherent in every child is the ability to succeed and thrive in life. Big Brothers Big Sisters, the nation’s largest donor and volunteer supported mentoring network, holds itself accountable for children in its program to achieve measurable outcomes, such as educational success; avoidance of risky behaviors; and higher aspirations, greater confidence and better relationships. Partnering with parents/guardians, schools, corporations and others in the community, Big Brothers Big Sisters carefully pairs children (“Littles”) with qualified, trained, and screened volunteers (“Bigs”) and monitors and supports these one-to-one mentoring matches throughout their course.
In the 2014-2015 fiscal year, Big Brothers Big Sisters Lehigh Valley, a United Way Partner Agency, has served nearly 350 Lehigh and Northampton County children in one-to-one mentoring relationships.
Big Brothers Big Sisters provides children facing adversity, often those of single or low-income households or families where a parent is incarcerated or serving in the military, with strong and enduring, professionally supported one-to-one mentoring relationships that change their lives for the better, forever. This mission has been the cornerstone of the organization’s 100-year history. The organization is engaged in a nationwide search to reunite with alumni mentors, mentees, donors, and family, staff and board members. Learn how you can volunteer or donate—visit www.bbbslv.org.
