Who We Are

For over a century, Big Brothers and Big Sisters (BBBS) have helped children reach their potential through professionally supported one-to-one relationships with proven results. Our roots go back to 1904 when Ernest Coulter, a young New York City court clerk, was seeing more and more boys come through his courtroom. He recognized that caring adults could help many of these kids stay out of trouble, and he set out to find volunteers. That marked the beginning of the Big Brothers movement. By 1916, Big Brothers had spread to 96 cities across the country. At around the same time, the members of a group called Ladies of Charity were befriending girls who had come through the New York Children's Court. That group would later become Catholic Big Sisters. Both groups continued to work independently until 1977, when Big Brothers of America and Big Sisters International joined forces and became Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. More than a century later, Big Brothers Big Sisters remains true to our founders' vision of bringing caring mentors into the lives of children. Big Brothers Big Sisters currently operates in all 50 states and in 12 countries around the world!

NEW JERSEY is proud to have 9 BBBS agencies serving 20 of its 21 counties. Joining together in a spirit of collaboration, these programs form the New Jersey State Association of Big Brothers Big Sisters Agencies.

After becoming incorporated and receiving its non-profit status, the Association began to successfully submit proposals to the State of New Jersey. Since 2004 it has received funding totaling $2.85 million. The major portion of these funds has been distributed to each NJ agency. A smaller amount was retained by the Association for development of the Association, statewide marketing, fund development and training.

By working together, the BBBS agencies in New Jersey have been supplementing the financial and organizational support each program needs to respond to the children on its waiting lists. More New Jersey children than ever before are benefiting from the positive impact of having Big Brothers or Big Sisters in their lives, but our work is not done. The New Jersey State Association of BBBS Agencies is focused on providing support to assist each agency expand services to provide a mentor for every New Jersey child who needs and wants one. With the support of the State of New Jersey, its corporate community and generous philanthropists, this vision can become a reality.