Big Brothers Big Sisters of Connecticut has awarded its 2022 Children’s Champion Award to State Sen. Catherine A. Osten, D-Sprague. The youth mentoring organization honored Sen. Osten for going above and beyond to help Connecticut’s children in need reach their highest potential. Andy Fleischmann, President & CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Connecticut, said in a release, “Cathy Osten has been a tenacious advocate for children in need. ... Sen. Osten exemplifies the commitment to caring, support and prevention at the heart of our mentoring work.”

As Senate Chair of the Appropriations Committee, Sen. Osten championed a two-year state budget that invests close to $300 million to support childcare, mental health care and preventive services for children. She was also a leading advocate for Erin’s Law, legislation requiring that children in kindergarten through 12th grade be educated on sexual abuse in a child-friendly manner.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Connecticut is the state affiliate of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, which matches children in need with adult mentors. Pictured In the photo, from left, are John Prescod, Senior Manager of Community Investment, United Way of Central & Northeastern Connecticut; Ted Cutler, CEO of Tecton Architects and Chairman, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Connecticut Board of Directors; Andy Fleischmann, President & CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Connecticut; Senator Catherine A. Osten; and Ryan Matthews, Vice President of Programs at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Connecticut.