More than 300 community leaders, volunteers, and alumni gathered at the iconic Bell Works ballroom on June 5 to commemorate a major milestone: five decades of life-changing youth mentorship. The 50th Anniversary celebration for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Coastal & Northern New Jersey (BBBSCNNJ) proved to be both a retrospective of the agency’s deep roots and a successful fundraiser for its future.
The gala raised more than $325,000, funds that will directly bolster the organization’s mentorship programs. Currently, BBBSCNNJ provides critical support to more than 2,100 youth across 10 New Jersey counties, including Bergen, Hunterdon, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex and Warren.
Since its inception in New Jersey in 1976, BBBSCNNJ has focused on the power of one-to-one mentoring to empower young people. The anniversary event served as a platform to honor the thousands of volunteers and partners who have sustained that mission over the last half-century.
“For 50 years, mentorship has helped young people discover their potential, build confidence, and pursue brighter futures,” William Salcedo, executive director of BBBSCNNJ said. “This celebration was an opportunity to honor the thousands of mentors, supporters, and young people who have been part of that journey while recommitting ourselves to serving the next generation.”
The evening was filled with commemorative programming, including a performance by The Sensational Soul Cruisers, casino games and raffles. A highlight of the night was the launch of the BBBSCNNJ 50th Anniversary Time Capsule. Guests contributed messages and reflections on the organization’s history, which will be sealed later this year and preserved for reopening in 2051.
The gala was made possible by a wide array of corporate and community sponsors, including Platinum sponsors C Suite Assets and CDW, as well as Gold sponsors Customers Bank, Manasquan Bank, Deloitte, and Provident Bank.
The 50th Anniversary celebration is just one part of a year-long initiative for BBBSCNNJ. As the organization marks this golden anniversary, leadership is focused on sustained growth, with plans to continue expanding opportunities for local youth to be matched with caring adult mentors throughout the remainder of 2026 and beyond.
For those interested in supporting the mission or becoming a volunteer mentor, visit www.mentornj.org.
