It All Started with a Court Clerk Who Cared

For more than a century, Big Brothers Big Sisters has been changing kids’ lives by giving them a champion to draw out and defend their potential. In Miami, we were established 60 years ago. Here is Big Brothers Big Sisters’ history at a glance:

  • 1902

     

    Ernest Coulter, court clerk, assists in organizing the first New York Children’s Court: Ladies of Charity, later Catholic Big Sisters of New York, to help girls who come before the New York Children’s Court.

  • 1903

    Businessman Irvin F. Westheimer wants to support a young boy in Cincinnati, OH; seeds are planted for the start of Big Brothers in Cincinnati.

     

    1903

  • 1904

     

    Ernest Coulter founds the organized Big Brothers movement by obtaining 39 volunteers, who each agree to champion one boy.

  • 1914

    Ernest Coulter embarks on nationwide lecture tour on behalf of Big Brothers; planning begins for a national Big Brothers and Big Sisters organization.

     

    1914

  • 1917

     

    The first national conference of Big Brothers and Big Sisters organizations is held in Grand Rapids, MI.

  • 1958

    Big Brothers Big Sisters of Miami is incorporated.
    Big Brothers Association is chartered by Congress.

     

    1958

  • Late 1960s

     

    Big Sisters program begins in Miami.

  • 1970

    Big Sisters International is incorporated.

     

    1970

  • 1972

     

    Big Brothers of Miami and Big Sisters of Miami merge to create Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Miami.

  • 1988

    Big Brothers Big Sisters of Miami celebrates serving 12,600 youth since incorporation.

     

    1988

  • 1990

     

    Group Mentoring Program for children on the wait list begins in Miami.

  • 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.

     

    1995

  • 1996

     

    School-based mentoring at two Miami-Dade County Public Schools begins in Miami.

  • 1998

    Big Brothers Big Sisters of Miami celebrates serving 28,200 youth since incorporation.
    Big Brothers Big Sisters International is founded.

     

    1998

  • 2004

     

    School to Work workplace mentoring program begins in Miami.

  • 2006

    Big Brothers Big Sisters of America recognizes BBBS Miami as having the Board of the Year.

     

    2006

  • 2007

     

    The Five Millers Family Foundation Continuing Education Scholarship Program launched in Miami.
    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.

  • 2008

    Big Brothers Big Sisters of Miami celebrates serving 42,500 youth since incorporation.

     

    2008

  • 2010

     

    The BIG Foundation launched.

  • 2011

    Bigs in Blue launches, matching youth and law enforcement professionals in Miami.

     

    2011

  • 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.

  • 2013

    Big Brothers Big Sisters of Miami is named the #1 BBBS agency in Florida and a top 20 BBBS agency nationwide.

     

    2013

  • 2014

     

    Carnival Foundation donates $5 million for new BBBSM headquarters.

  • 2016

    The Carnival Center for Excellence opens as the new BBBSM headquarters in Miami.

     

    2016

  • 2017

     

    BBBSM receives the National Program Quality Award for the fourth year.

  • 2018

    Big Brothers Big Sisters of Miami celebrates 60 years of helping 65,000+ Littles in Miami Dade County.

     

    2018

  • 2019

     

    Big Brothers Big Sisters of Miami rebrands with a new look and a new message to empower, ignite, and defend the potential of youth in Miami.