WE'RE ON A MISSION
TO CREATE AND SUPPORT ONE-TO-ONE MENTORING RELATIONSHIPS THAT IGNITE THE POWER AND PROMISE OF YOUTH WITH A VISION THAT ALL YOUTH ACHIEVE THEIR FULL POTENTIAL
BORN IN 1904
THE NATIONAL PROGRAM began in 1904 when a young New York City court clerk named Ernest Coulter noticed the same troubled boys showing up in his courtroom over and over again. Realizing that none of these kids had a stable, caring adult in their lives, he wondered if responsible volunteers from the community could help these kids stay out of trouble. He didn't realize he was starting a movement. By 1912, "Big Brothers" were volunteering in 26 cities.
By 1916, Big Brothers had spread to 96 cities around the country. Similarly, Ladies of Charity noticed troubled young girls lacked a stable, caring adult as well so its members began befriending the girls who came through the New York Children's Court. This, too, began a chain reaction, and the group eventually became a nationwide organization called "Catholic Big Sisters." In 1972, Don Wolf founded the local chapter of Big Brothers Big Sisters and we have continued his legacy for over 50 years.
WHO IS BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS?
For more than 100 years, Big Brothers Big Sisters has operated under the belief that every child inherently has the ability to succeed and thrive in life. The nation’s largest donor-supported and volunteer-supported mentoring network, we make meaningful, monitored matches between adult volunteers – our Bigs – and youth – our Littles – from ages 6 through 22. We develop positive relationships that have a direct and lasting effects on the lives of young people – particularly youth from disadvantaged socioeconomic demographics.
We operate out of 12 counties in Northeast Indiana and Southern Michigan
OUR IMPACT
- 78% interact better with their families
- 87% do better at avoiding delinquency
- 83% experienced increased self-esteem
- 96% were less likely to use illegal substances
- 77% were doing better academically
- 66% had improved school attendance