For over a century, Big Brothers and Big Sisters have helped children reach their potential through professionally supported one-to-one relationships with proven results.
In 1904, a young New York City court clerk named Ernest Coulter was seeing more and more boys come through his courtroom. He recognized that caring adults could help many of these kids stay out of trouble, and he set out to find volunteers. That marked the beginning of the Big Brothers movement. By 1916, Big Brothers had spread to 96 cities across the country.
At around the same time, the members of a group called Ladies of Charity were befriending girls who had come through the New York Children’s Court. That group would later become Catholic Big Sisters.
Both groups continued to work independently until 1977, when Big Brothers of America and Big Sisters International joined forces and became Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.
More than a century later, Big Brothers Big Sisters remains true to our founders’ vision of bringing caring mentors into the lives of children. Big Brothers Big Sisters currently operates in all 50 states … and in 35 countries around the world!
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Date
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Event
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1958
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At a meeting of the Men’s Club of the First Presbyterian Church of Santa Ana, an FBI agent suggested a mentoring program for youth be founded to combat juvenile delinquency in Orange County. Answering his call to action, the Big Brothers of Orange County Board of Directors convened for its first meeting at the church on April 19. Al Ecoff is appointed President of the Board of Directors and Ralph Holdburg Vice President. Holdburg became the organization’s first Executive Director.
Big Brothers’ first office opened above an arcade on North Main Street in Santa Ana. Referrals of boys in need of mentors came from churches, social agencies and mothers.
Peter Steven Carpenter, age 25, a life insurance salesman, was the first to apply and be accepted as a Big Brother. He was married with two children. He explained his reason for volunteering: “When I can give myself directly to a young man with time and interest showing that we stand together then life has new measure for both of us. This is the least I can and must do.”
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1959
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Peter Carpenter was matched to two boys, brothers, William and Peter Blood, ages 11 and 8.
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1960
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The first match was a resounding success. After a year of being matched, the Bloods’ mother wrote: “My boys would be completely lost without their Big Brother standing ahead and beside them, always there to help and play with them. He is a wonderful friend, counselor, brother, father and buddy (all wrapped up in one) to them now, and always will be.” Barbara J. Blood, November 21, 1960.
Robert Guggenheim joined the Board to persuade “the influential and socially prominent citizenry from the beach areas” to support BBOC. He helped form three BBOC women’s auxiliaries, Angelitos de Oro, Cameos and Talents. Guggenheim became Board president the following year for four years, and remained active in BBOC for many years.
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1961
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BBOC received full membership status from National BB. Membership had been delayed because a licensed social worker had not been on staff when BBOC began. The Board welcomed its first female member, Lillian Honig. She founded a 36-member Newport Beach women’s auxiliary that would become Angelitos de Oro.
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1962
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Another auxiliary group, Talents, is formed. Each member is encouraged to use her “talents” to raise $50 or more a year for BBOC. Talents recruited 100 members over the next year.
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1963
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Five years after the founding of BBOC, the Board approved an annual operating budget of $45,000, with a goal of raising $75,000.
Lillian Honig reported to the Board that the first Angelitos de Oro Ball raised $19,500 for BBOC. They responded by giving her a standing ovation.
Actor Danny Thomas, named Big Brother of the Year by the national office, is the keynote speaker at BBOC’s Annual Awards Banquet.
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1965
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Big Sisters of Orange County was founded.
Executive Director Ralph Holdburg lamented that for every dollar spent by private agencies such as BBOC to prevent problems with youth, $30 in tax dollars was spent in Orange County on youth correction and rehabilitation.
The first annual Stag Gourmet Dinner, an all-male black tie affair, is held. It raises $26,116.77. Actor Buddy Ebsen served as Master of Ceremonies for BBOC’s Annual Banquet.
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1966
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BBOC’s annual budget is $70,495, including $10,800 for the Executive Director’s salary. First motion picture based on a Big and Little Brother relationship is released by Paramount Pictures.
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1967
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BBOC’s Recruiting Committee arranged to have eight BBOC recruiting billboards on display in Orange County. They also distributed 5,000 posters and created Public Service Announcements for airing on radio stations.
On October 9, Al Crosson, Marketing Manager of Hunt Foods and Industries, attends his first Board meeting as its newest member. He was an active volunteer and became a life-long friend of the agency and generous supporter of its work. Al’s son, Tim, would one day become a Big Brother.
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1968
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Big Brothers relocates its office to a house at 150 Yorba St. in Tustin. The Board's Executive Committee begins to formulate a plan to reach out to the Black and Hispanic communities to recruit more minority Big Brothers.
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1970
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Executive Director Ralph Holdburg dies, leaving a wife and six children. Fred Clatworthy, a Santa Ana resident active in civic affairs, temporarily replaces Holdburg.
Actor John Wayne, a Newport Beach resident, is featured in a series of radio PSAs promoting the work of BBOC. On the national scene, Big Brothers of America is featured in an episode of “The Odd Couple” with Tony Randall and Jack Klugman.
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1971
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Bob Gilbert is named acting Executive Director, with Jo Alexander as his assistant. Alexander later served as Executive Director, until 1991.
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1975
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General Thomas F. Riley, President of BBOC and an Orange County Supervisor, receives a check for $25,000 from Angelitos. He observes that in its 14 years of existence, Angelitos has donated an impressive $350,000.
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1978
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BBOC celebrates its 20th anniversary. The Board notes that BBOC has served 765 boys and their mothers since its founding.
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1980
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The “Couples for Kids” program introduces a variation to the traditional mentoring program, pairing a child with a married couple. Other programs would follow in the upcoming years to allow new mentoring opportunities for those unable to commit to the traditional mentoring program.
Angels baseball star Rod Carew is named “Honorary Big Brother of the Year” for his work with young people. Roy Disney’s sailboat racing movie “Pacific High” premieres, with proceeds benefiting Big Brothers of Orange County.
Big Brothers opens branch offices in Fullerton and Laguna Niguel to serve the needs of boys in north and south Orange County. Overall, the agency serves over 460 matches.
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1981
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Big Brothers of Orange County becomes Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County on March 23. Two new staff members are added. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County President William Mashaw noted, “I’m most pleased to learn that the two Orange County agencies have united in such a positive way, thereby assuring a continuation of much needed service to girls under the fine leadership of Big Brothers of Orange County.”
Big Brothers Big SIsters of Orange County captures the top honors as the outstanding youth serving agency in Orange County at the Disneyland Community Service Awards Luncheon. The agency receives a $5,000 check for its work.
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1983
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Angels baseball player Reggie Jackson “Mr. October” was named Honorary Big Brother of the Year.
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1986
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Number one ranked tennis star Ivan Lendl holds a tennis clinic for Orange County matches. The agency makes Lendl an Honorary Big Brother after the event.
Angels first baseman Wally Joyner becomes the agency’s official spokesman. Joyner records PSAs for radio and television, and is featured in posters.
Angelitos del Oro celebrates its 25th anniversary by raising $60,000 from sales of its Gold Book. Nationally, BBBS elects its first female president, Joyce Black.
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1991
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John and Donna Crean’s newly established Village Crean in Newport Beach is the site for Talents First annual Western Ho-Down. The Creans served as underwriters for the event. John Crean is named Honorary Big Brother of the Year.
Robert Guggenheim, who played a key role in the early growth of Big Brothers, dies. Tom Pascoe becomes Executive Director.
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1994
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Patricia Davis becomes Executive Director, bringing an extensive fundraising background to the agency.
Angelitos welcomes former First Lady Barbara Bush to their gala luncheon. Angelitos has donated $777,000 to the agency since its founding. The following year, former U.S. Secretary of Education William J. Bennett isthe featured speaker at the gala luncheon.
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1995
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The High School Mentor program is created. The 30th Annual Gourmet Dinner raises an impressive $224,000. Joe MacPherson, an automotive industry giant, is named Man of the Year.
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1996
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The agency launches SWAT (Sponsored Winning Activities Team), which would later become BIG Impact, for children waiting to be matched to mentors.
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1997
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The Stars & Stripes Fishing and Golf Tournament is launched. By its 10th anniversary, the event is raising $1 million annually.
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1998
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Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County purchases its current office at 14131 Yorba St., Tustin.
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1999
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The agency launches its Tutor Pal program at Remington Elementary School in Santa Ana. Bigs met with Littles after school for tutoring, games and relationship-building activities.
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2000
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The Bright Futures program begins for girls, which features educational and female empowerment activities.
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2001
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The first annual Mardi Gras is held at the Village Crean. Over 250 attend; $40,000 is raised. The following year, the event moves to the Balboa Bay Club.
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2002
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The 25th annual Golf Tournament is held at Pelican Hill Golf Club in Newport Coast. The event raises a record $125,000.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County hosts Big Brothers Big Sisters of America National Conference at Anaheim Marriott Hotel.
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2003
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Big Brothers Big Sisters International is founded.
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2004
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Angels first baseman Darin Erstad marks the 100th anniversary of BBBS by filming a PSA for the agency. Seven Littles waiting to be matched participate.
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2005
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The 40th annual Gourmet Dinner draws over 500 and raises $425,000. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County is named a "Quality Award Winner" in the first year that awards for quality agencies are given by Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.
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2006
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Gustavo Valdespino becomes Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County’s first Chief Executive Officer. Valdespino was formerly an executive in the health care industry. He begins an aggressive campaign to recruit 1,000 Bigs by the end of 2008.
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2007
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Continuing its tradition of support for Big Brothers Big Sisters, Big Brothers Big Sisters Day is declared at Angel Stadium. Five hundred Bigs and Littles enjoy a day at the game. Four matches are invited down to the field at the beginning of the game to highlight the need for additional mentors for the program.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County receives “Gold Standard Award” for being a Top Performing Agency. Orange County Big Brother Paul Castillo is recognized as California’s Big Brother of the Year. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County receives Estrella Award from the Orange County Hispanic Chamber.
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2008
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Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County celebrates the 50th anniversary of its founding with a gala celebration at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim.
Big Brothers Big Sisters achieves its goal of 1,000 active matches in December of 2008.
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