Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Midlands Honored as Mid-Large Agency of the Year at the Big Brothers Big Sisters of America National Conference
OMAHA, NE, August 21, 2024 – Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Midlands (BBBSM) is thrilled to announce that they have been honored with the prestigious 2023 Mid-Large Agency of the Year award at the Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BBBSA) National Conference held in Dallas, Texas.
This top honor recognizes BBBSM’s outstanding achievements in program growth, youth outcomes, operational excellence, and financial stewardship, highlighting the agency’s commitment to making a lasting impact in the lives of youth.
BBBSM President and CEO Nichole Turgeon expressed: “Being recognized as the Mid-Large Agency of the Year is a tremendous honor and a testament to the hard work, passion, and dedication of our entire team. This award reflects our collective commitment to empowering youth through mentoring, and we are deeply grateful to our volunteers, families, community partners, and donors who make our mission possible. Together, we are changing lives and building brighter futures for the youth we serve.”
2023 Organizational Highlights:
- Launch of Big Futures Program: BBBSM introduced Big Futures, a new initiative designed to support current or alumni mentees who are in high school or have recently graduated. Since its inception, Big Futures has empowered approximately two dozen young people as they transition into new life experiences.
- Addition of a Family Resource Coordinator: To address the ongoing challenges that began during the COVID-19 pandemic, BBBSM created the Family Resource Coordinator position. This role is crucial in helping youth and families access vital resources such as food, rental assistance, mental health support, legal advice, clothing, and more.
- Expansion of MentorU: The agency’s School-Based Mentoring program, MentorU, expanded by adding four new classrooms at existing partner schools and launching new programming at Millard Public Schools and Ralston Public Schools, further extending its reach and impact.
- Financial Success: The agency exceeded its revenue goals in 2023, closing the year with a positive net outcome. BBBSM also received its first-ever seven-figure legacy gift, marking a significant milestone in its financial history.
- Acquisition of Big Brothers Big Sister Lincoln: Due to the strength of its fundraising efforts, BBBSM successfully acquired BBBS Lincoln, with the combination of the two agencies becoming effective on January 1, 2024.
- Awards and Recognition: BBBSM was honored by the Nonprofit Times as one of the Best Nonprofits to Work For. The agency also received a Business Excellence Award in the Innovation Category from the Greater Omaha Chamber and earned an 81% favorability rating on the Chamber’s CODE (Commitment to Opportunity, Diversity, and Equity) Assessment, compared to a 73% average across participating metro employers.
- Employee Retention and Training: The agency achieved an impressive 87% employee retention rate, surpassing the national nonprofit average of 80%. Additionally, in 2023, all staff members were certified in Youth Mental Health First Aid.
