Agency History

1972        Don A. Wolf, president of HWI, mobilized support and created Big Brothers of Greater Fort Wayne to provide mentoring relationships for 27 young boys in its first year.  Frank Zirille served as the first Executive Director, and Don A. Wolf was elected as the first President of the Board of Directors. 

1973        The first caseworker was hired.  The first special event fundraiser, an IU Intrasquad Game, was held.

1974        Demand for Big Brother programs grew, and an outreach office was established to serve DeKalb, Noble and Steuben counties.  The first Gourmet Dinner fundraiser was held.

1975        A grant to expand office space was received from the Fort Wayne Foundation.  Big Sisters is founded with the help of the United Way, and the agency adopted the name of Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Greater Fort Wayne.

1977       Wolf, as the national president of Big Brothers of America, merges Big Brothers of America with     Big Sisters International to from Big Brothers/Big Sisters of America.

1978        Two new offices are established to serve Adams & Wells counties as well as Huntington & Whitley counties with assistance from the Lily Endowment.  Dan Coats is elected as the fourth President of the Board of Directors.  Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Greater Fort Wayne is admitted as full member of Big Brothers/Big Sisters of America.

1979        Arby’s sponsors the first Park Run fundraiser.

1980        Casa D’Angelo sponsors the first Spaghetti Dinner fundraiser.

1981        Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Greater Fort Wayne is accepted as a member agency of United Way of Allen County.  The first Bowl For Kids’ Sake fundraiser is conducted.

1983        A-TV begins airing the Wednesday’s Child series highlighting unmatched Little Brothers and Sisters.

1985        An office is opened in Kosciusko county.

1986        A peak year for matches, 638 matches are created.  The Cruisin’ Hoosiers of Warsaw conducted its first annual Cruise In to benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters.  The current BBBS home at 2439 Fairfield is purchased.

1987        After renovation, BBBS moves from its old location at 919 Fairfield to its new building.

1988        The First Friends program is established to provide interim mentoring services for youth waiting for a Big Brother or Big Sister.  BBBS makes its 2000^th match in history.

1994    Frank Zirille leaves after 22 years as Executive Director to accept the position of Executive Director of BBBS of Metropolitan Chicago. 

1995    Jan Wilhelm, former vice president of Fort Wayne National Bank and board member of BBBS, is selected as the new Executive Director.

1996    The agency changes its name to Big Brothers Big Sisters  to better reflect its geographic area of service.  The decision to close county offices (except in Kosciusko) is made in efforts to face a challenging financial situation.

1997    Jan Wilhelm resigns as Executive Director, and Gregory G. Falk becomes the third Executive Director.  1997 ended in the first budget surplus in five years.

1998    The Sports Buddy program is launched with the help of the Fort Wayne Wizards and the Fort Wayne Fury.  The Lunch Buddy program begins with an initial commitment between Do It Best Corp. and New Haven Elementary.  Twelve Lunch Buddies are recruited for the first year.

1999    Essex sponsors the creation of the Arts Buddies program.  Bank One, Do It Best Corp., and National City Bank become corporate sponsors of BBBS of NEI.