Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampshire County

Our History
Formerly known as the Companion Program, the program started out serving 30 children in Amherst. Over the years it has grown and expanded in capacity. Presently it serves 150 children per year from towns throughout Hampshire County. It is supported by funds from the Hampshire Community United Way, Town of Amherst, state funding through the Massachusetts Service Alliance, federal funding through the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts, and community fundraising events and donors. The program's main office is in Amherst, and as a result of our federal grant, there is also an office in Northampton.

In 1995 the program affiliated with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America and became Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampshire County. As a result of this name change, which brought greater public recognition, the program was able to recruit more volunteers and make more matches. Also in 1995, the program became a part of the Center for Human Development, a multi-program human service agency based in Springfield with programs throughout Western Massachusetts and Northern Connecticut.

As Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampshire County, the program has been able to secure major grants and increase its case capacity. This growth has increased the size of the staff and allowed us to provide more enrichment and community involvement for the children in the program.

Currently at the beginning of the 21st century, we have a vital and robust program which provides a very special service, touching the lives of so many people in our community.