How did Big Brothers Big Sisters of America begin?
Planning for the first national Big Brothers and Big Sisters organizations began in 1914. There was tremendous growth in various cities, including New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Cleveland, Cincinnati and Milwaukee. Irving Westheimer and Ernest Coulter were influential in the movement for collaboration between the different agencies. The first federation got under way in 1921. During the Great Depression, the federation dissolved. But by 1958, a newly formed Big Brothers of America was officially chartered by the U.S. Congress. Then, in 1970, Big Sisters International was chartered. In 1977 these two organizations merged, and Big Brothers Big Sisters of America was born. The national headquarters was established in Philadelphia. By 1993 the BBBSA federation had grown to include 400 agencies in all 50 states, providing one-to-one mentoring relationships between caring adults and children at risk. For more information about Big Brothers Big Sisters, please visit our national web site by
