Courtesy Photo A little sister walks on the beach with her "big" in this provided photo. Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Western Upper Peninsula recently received a national distinction.

HOUGHTON — Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Western Upper Peninsula has been recognized as a Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BBBSA) Platinum Award Winner for program excellence in 2024. Every year, the BBBSA Nationwide Leadership Council, made up of local agency leaders and board members, selects agencies for excellence in the organization’s signature 1-to-1 youth mentoring program. Out of more than 230 agencies across the country, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Western Upper Peninsula is one of only 17 organizations to receive this top honor.

This award recognizes the top agencies that meet requirements for both the Growth and Impact Awards – meaning they have shown remarkable achievements in retaining the number of mentors (“Bigs”) and youth (“Littles”) matched through the program consistently from year to year and have exhibited exceptional growth in their local programs.

In the past year, the western U.P. agency has served 244 children and 173 high school students through mentoring relationships with a 72% growth in local services over the past two years.

“This recognition reflects the dedication of our team to both deepening our impact and expanding mentorship opportunities for more young people,” said Maggie Munch, executive director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Western Upper Peninsula. “We have a small but fiercely mighty Team. Our BBBS WUP programs operate with a four-person staff which is one of the smallest in the entire Nation. Achieving excellence in both growth and impact requires the hard work of our staff. Our Team’s tireless efforts, dedication and commitment to our Mission are powerful.” Munch added, “Our success is also a result of the strong foundation provided to us by our sponsoring organization, the Good Will Farm Association, Inc. d/b/a U.P.KIDS, in addition to the support of an entire Village of volunteers, families, donors, partners and advocates… All united in the mission to provide life-changing mentorship to youth in our community. We are proud of the progress we’ve made and remain committed to creating even more opportunities for youth throughout the western Upper Peninsula.”

For more than 100 years, BBBSA has been dedicated to advancing equity, impact, and growth across the organization, making a lasting impact on the lives of young people. Today, the organization creates and supports one-to-one mentoring relationships, helping build self-confidence and emotional well-being and empowering young people on a path to graduate with a plan for their futures and a mentor whose impact can last a lifetime.

“Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Western Upper Peninsula demonstrated exceptional leadership by not only deepening the impact of mentorship but also expanding their reach to serve more young people who need us most,” said Artis Stevens, President and CEO of BBBSA. “Their dedication to growing meaningful matches and ensuring long-term mentorship relationships is creating life-changing opportunities for youth in their communities. We are honored to recognize their commitment, innovation, and unwavering belief in the transformative power of mentorship.”