History of Big Brothers Big Sisters
Fostering positive attitudes based on personal relationships, Big Brothers Big Sisters proves the truth of its slogan "Little moments. Big magic." With community and school-based mentoring programs, Big Brothers Big Sisters changes the lives of youth across the nation with the help of everyday citizens.
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History
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In 1904, Ernest Coulter, a court clerk, founded the Big Brothers movement in New York; the Ladies of Charity started a similar youth outreach movement around the early twentieth century, the Catholic Big Sisters. In 1977 the two groups joined to form Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.
Significance
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Big Brothers Big Sisters mentors youth from the ages of six to 18, and the relationships fostered by this organization decrease drug and alcohol use, violence and school absences.
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Geography
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Big Brothers Big Sisters exists in every U.S. state and in twelve countries.
Considerations
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The impact of Big Brothers Big Sisters relies on the availability of mentors in a community. The organization can only effect change when outside individuals or businesses are willing to volunteer their time or money.
Famous Ties
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Patrons of the Big Brothers Big Sisters Federation include: President Calvin Coolidge, President and Mrs. Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Norman Rockwell. In 2004, former First Lady Laura Bush advocated Big Brothers Big Sisters with a public service announcement.
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