TOPEKA, Kan.—Kansas Mentors (KM) is pleased to announce Big Brothers Big Sisters of Salina, Inc. as a recertified Gold Star program recipient. The Kansas Mentors Gold Star program was developed in an effort to provide a safe and effective mentoring environment for the youth of Kansas. This program recognizes mentoring partners across the state who have committed to maintaining high standards and best practices to ensure a quality mentoring experience.

“Recognition as a Gold Star program communicates to the state an organization’s commitment to quality mentoring. The process to become a Gold Star program is not simple. It requires an immense amount of documentation to prove the organization is adhering to quality, safe, and effective mentoring practices,” Cheri Faunce, director of Kansas Mentors, said.

“At Big Brothers Big Sisters of Salina, our staff is dedicated to improving and positively changing the lives of children in the Salina area. We take the responsibility of creating life-changing friendships seriously, and our top priority is the safety and well-being of the children in our programs. Being considered a Kansas Mentors Gold Star program is an incredibly rewarding and positive testament to our efforts in Saline County. It is with immense and sincere gratitude that we accept this recognition and uphold Kansas Mentor’s values as an organization that changes communities for the better,” Michelle Peck, executive director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Salina, said.