The Big Brother movement began on July 4, 1903 by a Cincinnati man named Irvin F. Westheimer. He became concerned when he spotted a young boy and his dog rummaging through garbage for food.
Irvin befriended the child and learned that his father was absent through death. He took the young boy under his guidance, seeing him regularly and helping him as a "Big Brother".
In 1908, Mrs. Cornelius Vanderbuit learnt of the Big Brothers movement and organized the first "Big Sisters" program in New York City. The two organizations were run as distinct entities until June 17, 1997, at which time Big Brothers / Big Sisters of America was formed. The first Canadian based merger occurred in the Halifax, Nova Scotia.
To date, in Canada, there are over 170 member agencies, with 81 providing joint services. There are over 9,000 boys and girls matched in the various member agencies.
The Big Brothers / Big Sisters programs is no longer limited to Canada and the United States. These organizations exist in many countries, including Japan, Korea, England, Germany, Australia, Africa, Jamaica and Israel.
The Whistler & Pemberton agency started with Nancy Starkiewicz and Renee Howel who suspected that there could be a need for an agency in the area. With the help of George Alliston, they conducted a feasibility study that showed support for a local agency. In April 1991, the study showed that there was a need for a Big Brothers / Big Sisters agency in Whistler & Pemberton and full affiliation status with the organization was granted in the summer of 1992.
The organization is composed of board members and committee members, a caseworker, and "Bigs" & "Littles". Board positions turn over every two years to allow more experienced members to guide and support the newer ones.
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