Nonprofit of the Year Finalist | Medium: Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Ozarks

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Ozarks Inc., established in 1983 and an affiliate of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, is a nonprofit organization that matches and supports one-to-one mentorships for youth across southwest Missouri. With a staff of 13 and an operating budget of $961,000, the organization reaches its full potential through its active volunteer base, says CEO Susan Mellentine.

“We could not do this without our volunteers, being out there and being champions,” she says.

The adult volunteers, known as “Bigs,” are matched with “Littles” through an extensive and intentional process. Mellentine says Littles are children facing adversity, and the matching process ensures that each mentor is well suited to make a meaningful impact. “We do not turn any child away who wants a mentor in their life,” Melletine says.

Last year, BBBSO served 236 Littles through its two main programs, a community-based program and a school Lunch Buddy program.

Watching the Littles’ faces light up when talking about their first time going bowling or cooking a meal together, Mellentine says, is one of the many ways she knows the organization is having a direct impact on the community. Another is hearing the stories from their volunteers.

“One of the best indicators of our organization’s impact is when we hear from individuals in the community who say, ‘I was a Little,’ and share their experiences with us,” says Maggie Riggs, vice president of programming. “These stories, often recounted years after their involvement, highlight the lasting influence that our programs and mentors have had on their lives.”

In 2023, BBBSO saw an 11% growth in the program, with a continued projected increase this year. “We’re exploring and expanding, and with the help of our national affiliation, we’re seeing what works and what doesn’t,” Mellentine says. This includes piloting new programming involving middle and high school students, as well as increasing the number of counties they serve.

“We couldn’t do this without our team and community who is willing to try,” Mellentine says. “It takes a village, and I’m so proud of that.”

What has been the biggest impact your organization has made on the people you serve?
“It’s so easy to get lost in the day-to-day details. But when you step back and hear the stories from our Bigs who were once Littles, who want to turn around and give back helping others, that’s a full-circle moment.” —Susan Mellentine