BBBSMA Honored with Gold Standard, Agency of the Year and Skip Walsh Awards

Washington, DC June 12, 2012- Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta (BBBSMA) has received the Big Brothers Big Sisters of America’s 2012 Large Agency of the Year award. BBBSMA was one of 10 agencies among the national organization’s 355 affiliates that were recognized as “Gold Standard” agencies for their quality mentoring services to children. BBBSMA received its award in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday, June 12 at the Big Brothers Big Sisters’ 2012 National Leadership Summit.

Big Brothers Big Sisters’ Agency of the Year award is presented to the Large, Mid-sized and Small local agency that best demonstrates specific criteria for excellence in quality mentoring services, including sustained long-term mentoring relationships and increased revenues that ensure sustainability and growth through professional support provided to mentors, youth and their families. BBBSMA attributes this honor to the following achievements: 4.1% increase in children served, 10% increase in matches lasting 12 months, 39% increase in average match length and lastly a 21% increase in annual revenue.

Additionally, Janice McKenzie-Crayton, BBBSMA President and CEO, was honored with the Skip Walsh Award. The award is given to a BBBS executive who, through excellence in his/her own agency work and generosity exhibited in providing resources, support and encouragement to colleagues, has strengthened BBBS’ mentoring services to children. “It is a tremendous honor for BBBSMA to be named Large Agency of the Year and I am humbled to be a recipient of the Skip Walsh Award. This is a true testament to the hard work of our board, volunteers and staff who are committed to giving all of our children the chance to achieve success in life,” said BBBSMA President & CEO, Janice McKenzie-Crayton.

About Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta (BBBSMA)

Founded in 1960, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta (BBBSMA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and an affiliate of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. The Mission of BBBSMA is to provide children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported, one-to-one relationships that change their lives for the better, forever. In 2011, BBBSMA served nearly 3,400 children, ages 6-18, in a 12-county service area, making it one of the largest affiliated agencies in the United States. For more information about Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta or to sign up as a volunteer adult mentor, please visit www.bbbsatl.org or call (404) 601-7000.