How did big brothers big sisters begin?

Answer 1

In 1904, Ernest Coulter, a young New York City court clerk, saw an unfortunate amount of young boys continuously to flowing through the courtroom. Coulter recognized that loving adults would have the influence to tremendously help fatherless boys stay out of the juvenile justice system. Motivated to help these troubled boys, he found 39 volunteers who would mentor one boy each. This is marked as the beginning of the Big Brothers organization. However, according to Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, Irvin Westheimer started the concept of becoming a mentor to fatherless boys. Westheimer founded the Big Brother Association of Cincinnati in 1920. While Coulter was helping the boys of New York City, women from the group Ladies of Charity were befriending girls going through the New York Children's court. These women would later become the Catholic Big Sisters. In 1958, Big Brothers Association was commissioned by Congress, and in 1970 Big Sisters International was incorporated. Until 1977, both organizations worked exclusively. That year they joined into what is now known as Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.