Founded in 1904, Big Brothers Big Sisters of NYC (BBBS of NYC) is the nation’s first and the city's largest youth mentoring organization. Our vision is that all youth achieve their full potential. Our mission is to build and support mentoring relationships to ignite the biggest possible futures for youth.

BBBS of NYC offers a variety of mentoring programs designed to support NYC youth across our five boroughs. At the center of each program, you’ll find a Program Manager dedicated to the success of each Big/Little match supporting their match progress and goals.

The story of Big Brothers Big Sisters of New York City began on December 3, 1904. A young boy was standing before a judge awaiting his sentencing. Before the judge could render his decision, Ernest Coulter, a Clerk of the Court of Special Sessions of the City of New York, made this now famous plea:

There is only one possible way to save that youngster, and that is to have some earnest, true man volunteer to be his big brother. To look after him, to help him do right, to make the little chap feel that there is at least one human being in this great city who takes a personal interest in him, who cares whether he lives or dies. I call for a volunteer.

When the first man stood and volunteered, Big Brothers of New York City (the founding member of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America) began. In all, 39 men volunteered that day and 39 futures were saved.

More than 100 years after Mr. Coulter’s moving call to action, BBBS of NYC is still working hard to make sure someday all New York City youth in need of a mentor has a “Big” of their very own. Ernest would expect no less of us.