Big Sisters

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BIG SISTERS

BIG SISTERS, an organization dedicated to providing female mentorship for underprivileged and single-parent children, was founded in New York in 1908. The organization was created to help combat growing juvenile delinquency and deal with the problem of youth poverty by assigning a volunteer woman to a needy boy under the age of ten or girl under the age of sixteen. Big Sisters grew rapidly, soon becoming a conglomerate of autonomous local chapters, collectively called Big Sisters International, Inc. In 1977 they merged with Big Brothers of America to form Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Beiswinger, George L. One to One: The Story of the Big Brothers/Big Sisters Movement in America. Philadelphia: Big Brothers/Big Sisters of America, 1985.

"Big Brothers/Big Sisters." Encyclopedia Americana. Danbury: Grolier, 1999 ed.

Eli MosesDiner

See alsoBig Brother Movement .