A worldwide network of volunteer mentors

For over 100 years BBBS has been bringing hope to communities and young lives, all around the world.

The Power of Community AND VOLUNTEERING

Operating in
13 countries,
and serving over 280,000 children in need

Big Brothers Big Sisters International (BBBSI)

In 1904, a young New York City court clerk named Ernest Coulter observed more and more boys come through his courtroom. He recognised that caring adults could help many of these kids stay out of trouble, and he set out to find volunteer mentors.

At about 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.

These two initiatives marked the beginning of what has become an international organisation, operating in 13 countries, and serving over 280,000 children in need. After 100+ years the organisation remains true to the founder’s vision of bringing caring mentors into the lives of children and young people.

Our 25 years of History in Aotearoa New Zealand

The first Aotearoa New Zealand Big Brothers Big Sisters programme was established in Dannevirke, where the first mentoring match was made in November 1996.

In 1997, the Nelson programme was established and with the success of its programme came the requests from people and other community organisations around the country wishing to start similar mentoring programmes.