100 Years of History
For over a century, Big Brothers Big Sisters has been helping change kids’ perspectives and giving them the opportunity to reach their potential. And we have over a century of volunteers, donors, and advocates just like you to thank.
It all started in 1904, when a young New York City court clerk named Ernest Coulter 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. 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 Association and Big Sisters International joined forces and became Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.
More than 100 years later, Big Brothers Big Sisters remains true to our founders’ vision of bringing caring role models into the lives of children. And, today, Big Brothers Big Sisters currently operates in all 50 states—and in 12 countries around the world.
Here is a look at our local history, from the start:
| Date |
Event |
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1968
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Community Services organization studies need for a program to serve fatherless boys; many individuals involved including Wilbur Dronen, William Jellema, Rev. Stanley Lane.
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1969
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Representative from Big Brothers of America come to Joliet to encourage community to establish program; Joliet Exchange Club (Ken Stromsland, George Kosak, Leroy Hipkins & others), Kiwanis Club of Joliet (Elmer Geissler, George Baldwin, Keith Peters, & others) offer support.
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1970
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Big Brothers of Will County incorporated pro bono by attorney William T. Kaplan and meetings held in the offices of Gray Thomas Wallace in the Rialto Square building. Daryl Alderson elected first president; Board of Director members during first several years: James Baranowski, Bob Blackburn, Carl Carlson, William Carew, Hollie Crompton, Paul DeLand, Leo Faulstich, John Furman, Steve Gannaway, Gerry Griffin, Dorothy Campbell, Carl Grigsby, Margret Haley, Earle Huntington, William Kaplan, Al Lieb, Billie Limacher, Lynn Neuhart, Walter Nolan, Al Sims, Bob Smith, Lew Taylor, Robert Tilton, Don Weir.
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1971
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First fund raising campaign led by co-chairs George Mahoney and Gene Pozzi; major donors and workers Henry & Doris Alderson, Amos Anderson, Richard Hertzmann, Max Zollner and many others.
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1972
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Daryl Alderson hired as executive director; office opens in Executive Plaza Building, 2317 W Jefferson in Joliet; Tom Cawley hired as first caseworker.organization.
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1973
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First Big Brother-Little Brother match; Dan Lott first Big Brother. Community Services Council recognizes Big Brothers Big Sisters for meeting unmet community need. High school students initiate Phone-a-Thon fundraiser; teen organizers include Marja Buckingham, Steve Hunckler, Jeff Barnes; second fund raising drive chaired by Richard Hertzmann.
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1974
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First annual dinner chaired by Don Weir; food & fun 'Coupon Book' introduced with major support from Ann Thayer/McDonalds.
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1977
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Big Brothers of America & Big Sisters International merge. Service to girls added thanks to Pearl Kaatz, Cathy Block, Ruth Oyer, Linda Storch, and others. First Big Sister–Little Sister match; Shirley Williams first Big Sister. Bus Bench fundraising enterprise started. United Way of Will County accepts application for membership..
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1978
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First Annual Christmas Party hosted by Joliet West High School Key Club and Dave Hooper.
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1981
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Couples for Kids program started.
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1982
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First Bowl for Kids' Sake bowl-a-thon held at Town & Country Lanes in Joliet.
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1985
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After School Mentoring/Homework program established involving high schools, colleges, churches, and businesses.
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1988
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Mini-Golf Course fundraising enterprise at Jefferson Square Mall opens; Teen Board established.
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1991
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Santa Express Train makes first run to “North Pole” entertaining 3000 children and adults; new building at 2322 Plainfield Rd in Crest Hill dedicated.
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1996
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Big Brothers Big Sisters of America award for After-School Mentoring/Homework program received. Art & Vera Smith make substantial bequest /donation to endowment. Service expands to Grundy County.
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1997
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State of Illinois recognizes agency with Hometown Award.
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2000
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Santa Express Train makes final trip to “North Pole” having entertained nearly 50,000 children and adults during its 10 year run. First executive director Daryl Alderson retires; Bethy Hobby named replacement. |
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2004
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Beth Hobby retires; Lisa Morel Las appointed Chief Executive Officer.
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2005
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State of Illinois recognizes with Hometown Award, once again.
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2008
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Under the leadership of Board Chairman John S. Mortimer, the agency purchases and moves operations to larger building at located 417 Taylor Street, Joliet.
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2009
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A full-service Grundy County satellite office is opened in the First Midwest Bank Building in Morris thanks to the generosity of First Midwest Bank President Tom Tesdal. The agency receives its first federal grant funding: a 3-year, $300,000 Mentoring Children of Prisoners grant from the Department of Health and Human Services.
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2010
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Congresswoman Debbie Halvorson provides $185,000 Expansion of Mentoring earmark grant in FY10 Federal Budget. Agency's service area expanded to include Kankakee and Iroquois Counties. A second Mentoring Children of Prisoners grant received as part of a statewide collaboration with the Big Brothers Big Sisters Illinois State Association; Finance Director Laurie Keigher named fiscal officer of this $3.5 million dollar grant.
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| 2011 |
A full-service satellite office to serve Kankakee and Iroquois Counties is opened in donated space in the Centrue Bank Building located downtown Kankakee. |
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