For more than 120 years, Big Brothers Big Sisters has been more than a mentoring program — it has been a movement.
Our history is built on the belief that every child deserves a champion, and that one caring adult can change the course of a life forever.
Our story began in 1904 as a radical alternative to the juvenile justice system. Ernest Coulter, a New York City court clerk, saw an endless cycle of young boys appearing before his bench. Recognizing that "the law" wasn't what these children needed—but rather the guidance of a caring adult—he recruited 39 volunteers to become the first "Big Brothers."
Simultaneously, the Ladies of Charity (later Catholic Big Sisters) began befriending girls entering the New York Children’s Court. Among these pioneers were Mrs. O’Keefe and Mrs. Parker, two of the first Big Sisters who realized that equity in mentorship was just as vital for young women.
A timeline from the start.
1902
Ernest Coulter, court clerk, helps organize the first New York Children's Court; the Ladies of Charity, later Catholic Big Sisters of New York, begin to befriend girls who come before the New York Children's Court.
1903
Businessman Irvin F. Westheimer befriends a young boy in Cincinnati, OH; seeds are formed for the start of Big Brothers in Cincinnati.
1904
Ernest Coulter founds the organized Big Brothers movement by obtaining 39 volunteers, who each agree to befriend one boy.
1912
The New York Times reports Big Brother's activity in 26 cities.
1914
Ernest Coulter embarks on a nationwide lecture tour on behalf of Big Brothers; planning begins for a national Big Brothers and Big Sisters organization.
1917
The first national conference of Big Brothers and Big Sisters organizations is held in Grand Rapids, MI.
1923
Theodore Roosevelt, Jr., becomes treasurer of the Big Brothers and Big Sisters Federation; the first motion picture based on a Big and Little Brother relationship is released by Paramount Pictures.
1925
President Calvin Coolidge becomes patron of the Big Brothers and Big Sisters Federation.
1930
Six hundred delegates attend a Big Brothers and Big Sisters Federation meeting in New York City.
1934
President and Mrs. Franklin D. Roosevelt became patrons of the Big Brothers and Big Sisters Federation.
1948
Norman Rockwell produces the sketch that becomes a symbol for the Big Brothers Association.
1951
The Big Brothers of the Year program begins, Associate Justice Tom Clark of the U.S. Supreme Court and J. Edgar Hoover are named.
1958
Big Brothers Association is chartered by Congress.
1970
1977
Big Sisters International and Big Brothers Association merge, forming Big Brothers Big Sisters of America with 357 agencies.
1984
Big Brothers Big Sisters of America occupies its headquarters at 230 North 13th Street in Philadelphia.
1985
Big Brothers Big Sisters of America is honored with a commemorative stamp by the Postmaster General.
1995
Public/Private Ventures Study on Big Brothers Big Sisters Community-Based Mentoring shows measurable, positive results on youth who have a Big Brother or Sister, seminal research in the field of youth mentoring.
1997
President William J. Clinton holds Volunteer Summit in Philadelphia; Big Brothers Big Sisters plays key role.
1998
2003
President George W. Bush announces three-year $450 million mentoring initiative in his State of the Union Address.
2004
Big Brothers Big Sisters celebrates 100 years of serving America’s youth.
2006
First Lady Laura Bush stars in a public service announcement to recruit volunteers across the nation.
2007
Public/Private Ventures conducts a study on Big Brothers Big Sisters School-Based Mentoring program, reinforcing the value of strong, long-lasting relationships and leading to program enhancements.
In a Super Bowl first, CBS, the NFL and Big Brothers Big Sisters joined forces to create a public service announcement that features the two coaches whose teams are competing in the game. Roughly 90 million viewers tuned in to watch the game and see Indianapolis Colts' Coach Tony Dungy and Coach Lovie Smith of the Chicago Bears underscore the importance of mentoring by referencing their real-life mentoring relationship.
2010
President Obama holds a White House National Mentoring Month Ceremony; Big Brothers Big Sisters attends and plays a key role.
2012
In January, Big Brothers Big Sisters releases first-ever, nationwide Youth Outcomes Survey (YOS) Report, which reflects the collective progress and success in three outcome areas known to significantly change the lives of children for the better, forever – educational success, avoidance of risky behaviors and socio-emotional competency.
2015
BBBSA relocates its national headquarters to Tampa, Florida.
2020
Artis Stevens named new President and CEO of BBBSA, the first black CEO to lead the organization in it's 116 year history.