Big Brothers of Rhode Island began in 1952 after a Providence judge expressed concern about the number of boys showing up in court who did not have responsible male role models in their lives. A small group of men founded the organization at the Providence County Courthouse. Big Brothers now serves boys ages 7 to 14 from all over Rhode Island. The organization pairs the boys with men who have passed through background checks and been approved of by the boys' mothers. Big Brothers currently has about 120 active matches.