Our History

In November 1993, Big Brothers Big Sisters officially began providing professional services to the Copper Country. Through a partnership established in 1998, the local Big Brothers Big Sisters Programs became a part of The Good Will Farm Association, Inc.  With the help of our Sponsoring Agency, Big Brothers Big Sisters Programs have expanded to serve over 700 children annually across a six county service area

Big Brothers Big Sisters is part of a long tradition of community service that began with the founding of its sponsoring agency, the Good Will Farm Association, Inc., in 1899.  This organization has over a hundred-year history of serving children and youth in the local communities and takes a lot of pride in its history of service.  In addition, the agency is affiliated with and adheres to Standards of Practice established by Big Brothers Big Sisters of America standing on a 100-year History of excellence and proven results.

Big Brothers Big Sisters Historical Timeline

• 1991- The Local Children’s Trust Fund Identified a Need for Mentoring Programs in the Copper Country
• 1991-1992 – A Steering Committee of Community Leaders Conducted a Feasibility Study and Formed the Foundation for the Local Big Brothers Big Sisters Agency
• 1993 – Big Brothers Big Sisters of Houghton and Keweenaw Counties began providing Professional Services to the Children and Youth in the Copper Country
• 1998 – High Five School-Based Mentoring was Implemented in Houghton and Keweenaw Counties sparking a Nationwide Initiative: CLK Area School District is the first
• 1999 – Big Brothers Big Sisters of Houghton and Keweenaw Counties merged with the Good Will Farm Association, Inc. expanding its Service Area and became Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Western Upper Peninsula
  1999 – High Five Mentoring expanded to School Districts in Gogebic and Ontonagon Counties
• 1999 – A Branch Office Opened in Ironwood
• 2000 – Big Brothers Big Sisters of America sets a Goal to Serve More Children with the Intent to Serve 1 Million Children Nationwide by the Year 2010 Asking Local Agencies to Focus on Expanding Services
  2000 – The Local Board approved Expansion of the Service Area to include Iron County, Wisconsin
• 2000 – The First Community-Based Traditional Match was made in Gogebic County
• 2000 – The Agency formed a Partnership with the Local AmeriCorps Program allowing for further expansion of Mentoring Programs
  2001 – The First Community-Based Traditional Match was made in Baraga County
• 2002 – First TEAM Mentoring Program was Implemented in Houghton County
• 2005 – A Branch Office opened in L’Anse
• 2005 – The Agency begins Focusing on Partnership Capacity-Building to serve more Children and Youth
• Today – Over 700 youth and their families are being served in the Western Upper Peninsula annually and that number is expected to grow!