Our History
The one thing that hasn't changed throughout our history is our mission - one adult for every child in need."
To give you an idea of what we've done in our 35+ year history, look at the timeline below.
| 1900 - 1920 | The idea of adult friendship for children from single parent families spreads across the United States. |  |
| 1963 | Seven Worcester businessmen begin Big Brothers of Worcester County. Dr. Edward R. Kennedy is the agency's first director. | |
| 1974 | Due to the need in the Worcester area, Big Brothers becomes Big Brothers Big Sisters of Worcester County, Inc. |  |
| 1976 | Big Brothers Big Sisters of Worcester County becomes a member agency of the United Way of Central Massachusetts. | |
| 1978 | Appointment of Ben Ticho as Executive Director of the agency. | |
| 1978 | Big Brothers Big Sisters becomes a member agency of the United Way of Westboro. | |
| 1984 | New Directions program is inaugurated. Selected high school juniors at St. John's High School in Shrewsbury provide community service as Big Brothers. |  |
| 1988 | 25th Anniversary of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Worcester County | |
| 1990 | Establishment of the "Cousy Fund for Big Brothers Big Sisters", an endowment named in honor of Basketball Hall of Famer, Boston Celtic great, Big Brother, Advisor, and friend, Robert J. "Bob" Cousy. | |
| 1992 | Kick-off of first-ever capital campaign: Gary MacConnell, Chair. | |
| 1993 | Dedication of the Harrington Center for Big Brothers Big Sisters | |
| 1994 | Assumption College Big & Little Buddies program initiated. 30th Anniversary of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Worcester County, Inc. | |
| 1996 | The Bob Cousy 6'2" and Under Basketball Tournament - a weeklong tournament that showcased teams from all over the world. Proceeds went to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Worcester County and another local agency. |  |
| 1998 | 35th Anniversary of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Worcester County, Inc. Kids at Heart 35 Years Strategic Initiative. | |
| 2000 | Kick off of John's Brothers in memory of the late John Price and "Bigs in Schools" initiated by the Holy Cross Lacrosse Team | |
| 2000 | Canterbury Street School becomes first participant in "Bigs in Schools" | |
| 2000 | Chandler Elementary, Mass College of Pharmacy, St Peter-Marian, Holy Cross SPUD program join "Bigs in Schools" | |
| 2001 | Belmont Community, UMass Medical, Clark University, Anna Maria College, and Worcester State College join "Bigs in Schools" |
603.mentor@bbbs.org
Last modified: Oct 21, 2007, 11:10 EDT