Founded in 1919, Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Boston (then the “Jewish Big Brother Association”), is New England’s oldest youth mentoring organization and one of the 12 founding members of the national Big Brothers Big Sisters movement. Today, JBBBS is among over 400 independent Big Brothers Big Sisters programs in operation throughout the United States.

What began as a War-era initiative to serve Jewish immigrant boys and their families at a time when Jews lacked access to or were actively excluded from receipt of social services, has expanded its reach from an inaugural program serving a few children to one that, today, and with financial support from CJP, The United Way, the Rodman Ride for Kids and various foundation grants, matches over 250 Jewish and non-Jewish children from a variety of life circumstances and over 90 towns in eastern Massachusetts.

In 1992, the agency expanded further to include a first-of-its-kind friendship program for adults who have mild to moderate disabilities called Friend 2 Friend. The Friend 2 Friend program annually serves roughly 175 adults who benefit from the social interaction that the the program affords. JBBBS also serves as a co-sponsor of Yom Sport, a preeminent athletic event for adults of all abilities in Greater Boston’s Jewish community.

While much has changed for us in our over nine-decade history, the same values of family and community that inspired our beginnings sustain us to the present. For more information, contact us.