About Us

OUR HISTORY

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Flint has a rich history that has served as the foundation for the program for decades. Services have constantly evolved and changed, but the mission of providing positive role models for children remains the same. Volunteers offer friendship and guidance to Genesee County youth through the traditional program and innovative new services.

Nationally, the Big Brothers Big Sisters movement officially traces its roots to the first formal program in the nation which began in New York City. In 1904, Ernest K. Coulter founded the first Big Brothers program as a preventive approach to local juvenile justice problems. A Big Sisters organization was established there in 1908 by Mrs. W. K. Vanderbilt to offer similar companionship to girls.

Big Brothers
Locally, the Big Brother concept began to develop in the 1930’s through the efforts of Frank Manley, well-known as the originator of the concept of Community Education. He recruited friends and business associates to work on a one-to-one basis with boys involved in the juvenile court system.

In the 1940’s, Father Sheridan of Flint arranged for the renowned Father Flanigan from Boy’s Town to come here. His enthusiasm inspired local groups including the Mott Foundation, YMCA, Catholic Social Services and the Flint Council of Social Agencies to formally establish the Big Brothers program in August 1944.

Originally known as the Flint Youth Bureau, under the Flint Board of Education, the program was funded primarily by the Mott Foundation. Joe Ryder was the first Executive Director and served the agency for twenty-three years. The program was officially named Big Brothers of Greater Flint in 1961.

Big Sisters
The Big Sisters program was initiated in 1955, through the efforts of Frank Manley, William Minardo, and Allen Matherne. The Council of Social Agencies, Flint Women’s Council, Mott Foundation and Industrial Business Girls worked together to develop a pilot program. The first Big Sisters training group was comprised of fourteen Industrial Business Girls members. A year later, there were eighty-one women matched with Little Sisters. The Mott Foundation initially funded the program. The agency later became a United Way agency. In 1956, Florence Riddell was named Executive Director of Big Sisters of Flint and Genesee County. Priscilla Wittlinger followed as Director for more than ten years.

Merging Together—Greater Impact
On January 1, 1985, the Big Brothers and Big Sisters agencies merged to form one organization. Gary Haggart, who was previously Executive Director of Big Brothers of Greater Flint became the Executive Director of the new agency, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Flint. The newly formed organization thrived and steadily increased services to children.

In July of 2006, after 33 years at its Sixth Street location, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Flint relocated to new office space located in the lower level of the downtown YMCA. The new location provides greater space and opportunities for staff members to coordinate program expansion and perform organizational functions, as well as offer special activity areas for “Bigs” and “Littles”.

The Sixth Street address was the location of the Big Brothers and Big Sisters organizations following their merger in 1985. Big Brothers was located in the office since 1973. Growing staff, programs, and the demands of property management influenced the decision to make a change.