The Big Brother movement had its start in the United States.  A group of men were concerned about the growing rates of delinquency among young boys in single-parent families.  In 1903 they decided to help those children, on an individual basis, by offering them the presence of a volunteer adult, the goal being to forge a bond of friendship, trust and encouragement between the adult and child.

In 1908 women became involved in the same way with young girls in similar circumstances.  Bit by bit, and spurred on by the flagrant need of youngsters, the movement grew and crossed borders, becoming an international entitiy.

In 1911 the first Canadian agencies were established, remaining affiliated for a long period of time with the American organization.

The international movement of Big Brothers Big Sisters was inaugurated in 1988 and is now comprised of almost forty member countries.

2001 saw the unification of Big Sisters of Canada with Big Brothers of Canada to become Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada.

Big Brothers of Owen Sound has been creating friendships since 1960 when a working committee of interested citizens met at the YMCA to found the organization.  In 1964 the local organization was one of the founding members of Big Brothers of Canada. The organization was incorporated in 1985 and complies with the Organizational and Service Delivery Standards of Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Canada.

Big Brothers of Owen Sound is completely financed by donations locally.  The association has an office at 968 - 2nd Avenue West (2nd Floor) in Owen Sound.  It employs a part time professional casewoker.  A volunteer Board of Directors is responsible for the operation of the organization