PBN Healthiest Employers Awards 2024
2-99 EMPLOYEES #4. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Rhode Island
CEO (or equivalent): Katje Afonseca
Number of employees: 32
WHEN WE TALK about healthy employees, physical health comes first. But mental health is just as vital.
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At Big Brothers Big Sisters of Rhode Island, the leadership team takes a holistic approach to supporting the staff, including their emotional well-being.
As part of a nonprofit that matches young people with caring adults, BBBSRI staff members often deal with challenging issues and difficult family situations, and they need time to decompress.
“We want to normalize talking about and caring for the mental health of our employees,” said Katje Afonseca, the Providence-based nonprofit’s CEO.
Staff members are allowed to use paid time to engage in mental health care. They can schedule their therapy sessions during work hours. Team members who take advantage of this opportunity pay nothing. The organization reimburses them for their copay, ensuring that everyone has access to the care they need.
“Folks can carve time out of their busy workday to care for themselves,” Afonseca said.
A HEALTHY THOUGHT: ‘People perform better when they’re not concerned about their own health. That’s why putting the well-being of our employees first is embedded in what we do.’
KATJE AFONSECA, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Rhode Island CEO