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Big Brothers Big Sisters of America Honors 2026 Bigs and Littles of the Year

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Exceptional volunteers and youth recognized for their resilience, leadership and life-changing relationships

TAMPA, Fla., June 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BBBSA), the preeminent one-to-one youth mentoring organization in the United States, announced the recipients of the 2026 Big and Little of the Year awards during the organization’s annual National Conference in Atlanta, Georgia on June 18.

Selected from thousands of mentoring matches across the country, the 2026 honorees exemplify the transformative impact of one-to-one mentorship and the power of consistent, supportive relationships.

The 2026 BBBSA Bigs and Littles of the Year are:

Jaleesa (Big) and Jaime (Little) from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Indiana

Jaime and Jaleesa’s match began during a difficult period in Jaime’s life following the traumatic loss of her father. Seeking additional support for her daughter, Jaime’s mother enrolled her in Big Brothers Big Sisters, which matched her with Jaleesa. Over the years, their relationship has evolved into a deep sisterhood rooted in trust, encouragement, and shared growth.

“Jaleesa is literally my big sister,” Jaime shared. “She has always been there. She’s always been a constant.”

Jaleesa’s mentorship helped Jaime navigate her grief and inspired her to discover new experiences and pursue ambitious goals for her future. Jaime now plans to attend Indiana University to study astronomy and accounting with aspirations of becoming an astronaut. She credits her Big Sister and the BBBSA organization with helping open doors to internships, professional mentorship opportunities and personal growth.

“What I would say to Jaleesa to thank her for her time with me is that I couldn’t really express it into words,” Jaime said. “Her presence alone just makes me happy.”

For Jaleesa, becoming a Big Sister was deeply personal. Raised by a single mother and surrounded by supportive adults who helped shape her own childhood, she wanted to provide that same sense of stability and encouragement to another young person.

“I wanted to be someone that she could turn to and trust,” Jaleesa said. “I think we’ve really grown together.”

Matt (Big) and Sterling (Little) from Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bay Area

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bay Area matched Matt and Sterling when Sterling was just eight years old. Shortly after they met Sterling was diagnosed with leukemia, dramatically reshaping the early days of their relationship. Throughout hospital stays, treatments and recovery, Matt remained a steady presence in Sterling’s life.

“When I was first diagnosed with leukemia, Matt would always come visit and hang out and play games with me in the hospital,” Sterling said. “It felt like I had a buddy there with me.”

Playing video games in hospital rooms, talking through life’s challenges and learning to play baseball together, the two built a bond grounded in consistency, trust and friendship. Years later, their story had a full circle moment when Matt underwent brain surgery and Sterling was able to support him through the experience.

“It was really sweet to see how he wanted to care for me,” Matt said. “I’m really proud for both of us to be out on the other side.”

Over nearly a decade together as Big and Little, Matt and Sterling have supported one another through milestones, hardships and personal growth.

Sterling says the relationship helped him build confidence, strengthen his social skills and become the person he is today.

“One word I would use to describe Matt is longevity,” Sterling said. “He’s always been there for me.”

Matt encourages others considering mentorship to simply take the first step.

“Mentorship doesn’t mean always having the right answer,” Matt said. “It just means showing up.”

Big Brothers Big Sisters of America presents these prestigious awards annually to celebrate outstanding mentoring matches that embody the organization’s mission. These two pairs join a distinguished legacy of Bigs and Littles whose stories demonstrate how consistent, caring relationships can overcome profound challenges and open pathways to brighter futures for both youth and the adults who mentor them

“The mentoring relationships showcased in our Bigs and Littles of the Year represent the very best of our mission,” said Artis Stevens, President and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. “Jaleesa, Jaime, Matt and Sterling show us that mentorship is the power of one caring adult showing up with unwavering belief and commitment to empowering young people. Their stories remind us of the importance of expanding access to these life-changing connections so every young person can experience the joy, hope and possibility that comes from knowing someone is truly in their corner.” 

About Big Brothers Big Sisters of America

Founded in 1904, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BBBSA) is the largest and most experienced youth mentoring organization in the United States. The mission of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America is to create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth. Big Brothers Big Sisters’ evidence-based approach is designed to create positive youth outcomes, including educational success, avoidance of risky behaviors, higher aspirations, greater confidence, and improved relationships. Big Brothers Big Sisters serves more than 5,000 communities across all 50 states.

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SOURCE Big Brothers Big Sisters of America

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LendingClub Officially Becomes Happen Bank, Marking a New Chapter for the Digital-First Bank

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Begins trading on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol “HAPN”

SAN FRANCISCO, June 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Happen, Inc. (Nasdaq: HAPN) https://www.multivu.com/lending-club/9384851-en-lendingclub-bank-happen-bank-digital-built-help-people-move-forward (formerly LendingClub Corporation) today announced the official launch of the Happen Bank™ brand, marking a significant milestone in its evolution into a digital bank for people who want to make more happen with their money.

Beginning today, Happen Bank’s brand comes to life at www.happen.com, its mobile app, customer communications, advertising, and more. Today also marks the first day that Happen, Inc. common stock will trade on the Nasdaq Stock Market under the HAPN ticker.

“We’ve reached an exciting milestone for our company and for the millions of members we serve,” said Scott Sanborn, CEO of Happen Bank. “Becoming Happen Bank and now trading on Nasdaq reflects how far we’ve come in building a modern digital bank designed around people’s real financial needs. The Happen Bank brand more clearly reflects the role we play in consumers’ lives: helping people make things happen with products that are smart, transparent, and easy to use.”

Happen Bank delivers:

Award-winning unsecured personal loans for debt consolidation, home improvement, and affording life’s important momentsAward-winning high-yield savings accounts that reward consistent saving habitsAward-winning checking accounts offering cash back on essentials purchases and for on-time loan paymentsLending decisions in minutes with transparent terms and no hidden fees or gotchasMobile-first digital banking experiences designed for real-life moments

Happen Bank products are aligned by design to reward members for their positive financial behaviors. For example, members who have a Happen Bank personal loan have the opportunity to get 2% of their monthly payment in cash back1 for making on-time loan payments from their LevelUp Checking account – demonstrating that Happen Bank products deliver even more value when used together. And members who contribute at least $250 to their LevelUp Savings account each month – a contribution threshold designed to fit within most of our members’ budgets – earn more than 10 times the national average APY.2

“Whether it’s consolidating debt, building savings, improving their credit, or planning for what’s next, we clear the way for our members to make meaningful progress and we reward their positive financial behaviors along the way,” said Mark Elliot, Chief Customer Officer of Happen Bank.

A Brand Built for Momentum

The name Happen Bank is intentional. It signals action, progress, and forward momentum.

The brand identity reflects this energy, with a dynamic wordmark and a modern visual system that stands apart from traditional banking conventions.

While the company’s name and visual identity have changed, the foundation that customers know and trust remains unchanged. Happen Bank is still the same FDIC-insured digital bank, operated by the same company and people, serving millions of members with the same commitment to helping them improve their financial lives. Existing accounts, products, login credentials, routing information, and services are unaffected.

“This isn’t just a name change – it’s a recognition of who we’ve become,” said Sanborn. “Happen Bank reflects our commitment to helping members turn intention into action and achieve meaningful financial progress.”

To mark the official launch, we will be ringing the Nasdaq Opening Bell at 9:30 a.m. ET (6:30 a.m. PT) on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, at the Nasdaq MarketSite in Times Square in New York City.

To learn more about Happen Bank and its products, visit Happen.com.

About Happen Bank

Happen Bank™ (formerly LendingClub Bank) is a digital bank built for the Motivated Middle: high-FICO, high-income, digitally savvy consumers actively managing their financial lives. Our difference? We make it easy for them to access award-winning products that help them keep more of what they earn and earn more on what they save. Our products are aligned by design to reward our five million plus members when they take positive financial steps like saving regularly or making loan payments on time.

Our success is fueled by our advanced credit underwriting, a proprietary technology platform engineered for innovation, and a marketplace bank model that drives value for members, loan investors, and shareholders alike. The result is affordable credit, meaningful value, and a trusted banking relationship — delivered consistently and profitably at scale.

Happen Bank exists to clear the way for our members to make it happen.

Happen, Inc. (Nasdaq: HAPN) – formerly LendingClub Corporation – is the parent company and operator of Happen Bank, National Association, Member FDIC. For more information about Happen Bank, visit https://www.happen.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

Some of the statements in this press release, including statements regarding the benefits of our products and services, are “forward-looking statements.” Words such as “plan”, “expect”, “anticipate” and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements may contain these identifying words. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by these forward-looking statements include: macroeconomic conditions, competition, demand for our products and services, and those factors set forth in the section titled “Risk Factors” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as well as in its subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results or events could differ materially from the plans, intentions and expectations disclosed in forward-looking statements, and you should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. We do not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

Contacts

For Media: Press@happen.com
For Investors: IR@happen.com

Footnotes
1 Loan payment cash back provides members the opportunity to earn 2% cash back for qualifying payments made electronically from Happen Bank LevelUp Checking accounts if they meet all eligibility criteria as described in the applicable product terms and conditions.
2 National average source: FDIC as of 5/18/2026.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lendingclub-officially-becomes-happen-bank-marking-a-new-chapter-for-the-digital-first-bank-302804847.html

SOURCE Happen, Inc.

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USAN Launches Evolve 90 Managed Services in AWS Marketplace

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90-day managed services program de-risks contact center migrations and accelerates time-to-value for Amazon Connect Customer customers

ATLANTA, June 22, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — USAN, an Amazon Web Services (AWS) Advanced Tier Services Partner with more than 36 years of contact center experience, today announced that Evolve 90, its 90-day managed services go-live program, is now available in AWS Marketplace. AWS Marketplace helps organizations easily discover, try, test, buy, deploy, and manage thousands of software solutions, including pre-built AI agents and ready-to-integrate tools, all in one convenient destination.

“USAN really understood an ecosystem we were totally unfamiliar with Amazon Connect Customer,” said Curtis Olson, CTO at OpenLoop Health. “It was very new territory. Bringing that expertise really gave us a lot more confidence as part of this migration, which was scary for a business of our scale.

Designed to de-risk contact center migrations from day one and accelerate time-to-value, Evolve 90 is USAN’s commitment to ensuring every customer achieves a stable, successful launch and a strong foundation for ongoing innovation. Evolve 90 is included as a core component of USAN’s migration packages: CX Launch and CX Launch + Innovate.

Key Benefits of Evolve 90

Accelerated go-live: Structured 90-day program delivers a production-ready Amazon Connect Customer environment in just 8-12 weeksReduced migration risk: Dedicated managed services support from pre-launch through stabilization minimizes disruption to business operations, with 100% of USAN’s projects completed on-timeStreamlined procurement: AWS customers can purchase and manage Evolve 90 directly within their existing AWS Marketplace accountOngoing optimization: Post-launch support ensures continuous improvement and a clear path to innovation, helping companies see results like a 25% decrease in agent onboarding time and a 30% increase in agent satisfaction

AWS customers now have direct access to USAN’s Evolve 90 within AWS Marketplace, streamlining the purchase and management of Amazon Connect Customer migration services within their existing AWS account.

“Every go-live deserves more than just a deployment,” said Steve Herlocher, SVP of Product, Sales, and Marketing at USAN. “Evolve 90 means our customers don’t just migrate — they land with confidence, operational support, and a clear path forward.”

OpenLoop, the nation’s leading white-label digital health infrastructure provider, highlighted the value of USAN’s expertise during their Amazon Connect Customer migration.

“USAN really understood an ecosystem we were totally unfamiliar with Amazon Connect Customer,” said Curtis Olson, Chief Technology Officer at OpenLoop. “It was very new territory. Bringing that expertise really gave us a lot more confidence as part of this migration, which was scary for a business of our scale.”

Evolve 90 is now generally available in AWS Marketplace. For more information on USAN and its Evolve 90 managed services, please visit: https://usan.com/managed-services-amazon-connect

About USAN

USAN is an AWS Advanced Tier Services Partner specializing in Amazon Connect Customer, helping organizations design and deploy scalable, AI-driven customer interactions that accelerate time to value and maximize ROI. With over 36 years of deep contact center expertise, USAN delivers modern agentic CX solutions and a white-glove approach to optimizing and managing cloud contact center environments through its managed services.

Media Contact

Sophia Lendon, USAN, 1 770-849-3034, sophia.lendon@usan.com, usan.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prweb.com/releases/usan-launches-evolve-90-managed-services-in-aws-marketplace-302805452.html

SOURCE USAN

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G-SHOCK LAUNCHES THE CAMO AND GOLD SERIES, WHERE STREET STYLE MEETS ELEVATED DESIGN

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Bold camouflage meets metallic gold accents across four G-SHOCK silhouettes

JERSEY CITY, N.J., June 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Casio America, Inc., announces the launch of the new G-SHOCK Camo and Gold Series: a collection that takes one of street fashion’s most enduring staples and elevates it with the bold and purposeful design G-SHOCK is known for. Featuring statement-making designs that stay true to the brand’s legacy of absolute toughness, the collection blends streetwear influence with elevated styling for everyday wear.

The new series introduces updated takes on the GM6900CMG-3, GAV01CMG-3A, DW6900CMG-3, and GA700CMG-3A, each featuring a camouflage-inspired pattern paired with gold-tone dials and details that create a bold contrast against the dark resin construction. The collection draws inspiration from military utility aesthetics while incorporating premium metallic finishes for a more elevated, fashion-forward look.

Anchored by matte green and black tones, each model pairs G-SHOCK’s signature durability with gold bezel accents and a dial that adds a refined edge without sacrificing toughness. A redesigned logo, updated feature indicators, and a negative LCD on select models give the collection a fresh, intentional look.

From the iconic front-button design of the 6900 line to the oversized case construction of the GA700, the collection unites some of G-SHOCK’s most recognizable forms under one cohesive design story, delivering a look that moves effortlessly between streetwear and everyday wear.

The Camo and Gold Series include the following models: GM6900CMG-3 ($280), GAV01CMG-3A ($210), DW6900CMG-3 ($145), and GA700CMG-3A ($165).

Select models within the collection feature key G-SHOCK technologies including:

Shock Resistance200M Water ResistanceShock Release Hand (GAV01CMG only)LED LightWorld Time (GAV01CMG & GA700CMG only)StopwatchCountdown Timer5 Daily Alarms (GAV01CMG & GA700CMG only)Multi-Function Alarm (DW6900CMG & GM6900CMG only)10-Year Battery (GAV01 Only)Full Auto Calendar

The G-SHOCK Camo and Gold Series is available today at gshock.com and at the G-SHOCK SoHo Store, as well as through select retailers nationwide.

For more information about G-SHOCK, visit gshock.casio.com/us.

About Casio America, Inc.

Casio America, Inc., the U.S. subsidiary of Casio Computer Co., Ltd., markets and distributes Casio’s portfolio of timepieces, electronic musical instruments, calculators, and education technology products throughout the United States. Guided by the corporate creed of “creativity and contribution,” Casio delivers innovative, reliable, and thoughtfully designed products that enrich everyday life. For more information, visit www.casiousa.com.

MEDIA INQUIRIES CONTACT:
5WPR
gshock@5wpr.com 

CASIO AMERICA, INC.
PR@casio.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/g-shock-launches-the-camo-and-gold-series-where-street-style-meets-elevated-design-302804958.html

SOURCE Casio America, Inc.

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