CAMDEN — Big Brothers Big Sisters of America's Nationwide Leadership Council has recognized Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mid-Maine (BBBSMM) with a 2017 Big Brothers Big Sisters of America Quality Award. The award recognizes team leadership and quality community programming. BBBSMM is one of only 28 agencies nationally to receive this recognition.

"We are proud and extremely thankful of our Board and staff for making quality programming a priority for our community's youth," said BBBSMM Executive Director Gwendolyn Hudson. "Their dedicated work and commitment to local children mean more impactful mentoring relationships and brighter futures for youth across our seven-county service area."

Last year, BBBSMM served 739 youth by connecting them with supportive volunteers ("Bigs") and professionally supporting those one-to-one mentoring relationships. The Quality Award recognizes excellence in community, school and site-based mentoring programming. Agencies receiving this distinction met or exceeded goals in number of youth served, retention of matches and continuous financial sustainability.

"Each match between a Big and Little requires attention and support, and this Quality Award shows that Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mid-Maine has done an outstanding job matching children and supporting those mentoring relationships," said Pam Iorio, president and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mid-Maine was one of only 28 agencies among 300 nationally to receive the Quality Award for 2017. The agency will be recognized in June at the 2018 Big Brothers Big Sisters National Conference in St. Louis, Missouri. BBBSMM is in its 39th year of serving children facing adversity in midcoast, eastern and central Maine.