Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Twin Cities is the area's oldest mentoring organization. For 88 years, BBBS has made a difference in the lives of local children. Big Brothers Big Sisters has been a presence in the Twin Cities since 1920, when Big Brothers of Greater Minneapolis opened its doors. In 1966, St. Paul followed suit and opened Big Brothers of Greater St. Paul. In 1980, Big Brothers of Greater St. Paul added a mentoring program for girls and became Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater St. Paul. Four years later, in 1984, Big Brothers of Greater Minneapolis and the Big Sister Association (in existence since 1940) merged to form Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Minneapolis. In 2002, the Minneapolis and St. Paul organizations merged to become Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Twin Cities.
Nationally, Big Brothers Big Sisters began in New York City in 1904, when a young law clerk named Ernest Coulter sought men to befriend the boys he saw coming through the court system. Since then, BBBS' mission has remained the same: to enrich young people's lives through one-to-one friendships.
Timeline
| 1904 |
Ernest Coulter founds Big Brothers in New York City |
| 1920 |
Big Brothers of Greater Minneapolis opens |
| 1940 |
The Big Sister Association opens in Minneapolis |
| 1966 |
Big Brothers of Greater St. Paul opens |
| 1980 |
Big Brothers of St. Paul changes name to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater St. Paul |
| 1984 |
Big Brothers of Minneapolis and the Big Sister Association form Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Minneapolis |
| 1989 |
Public Private Ventures begins study to gauge impact on youth of having a Big Brother or Sister |
| 1995 |
Public Private Ventures Research shows measurable, positive results on youth who have a Big Brother or Sister |
| 2002 |
The Minneapolis and St. Paul Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies consolidate to form Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Twin Cities |
| 2003 |
BBBS launches a new program: Mentoring Children of Prisoners |
| 2006 |
BBBS rallies at the Minnesota Capitol in support of a bill that provides funding for programs that mentor children with incarcerated family members |
| 2007 |
BBBS launches a new program: Big Families |
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