As the oldest child and only boy in a single-parent household, Caleb has a lot of responsibility at home. While his mom, Lindsey, balances work and providing for three kids, Caleb steps up to help with chores and caring for his younger sisters. This is a lot for a 13-year-old, so a few years ago, Lindsey sought out a mentor for Caleb through Big Brothers Big Sisters.
Caleb was matched with a Big Brother named Hans. At first, Caleb was reserved. He was polite and respectful but got very excited to go on outings with Hans. Growing up, Hans was also the oldest of three children and can relate to Caleb’s situation. Hans is someone Caleb can talk to, get advice from, and just be a kid with.
Since Caleb has a physical disability, Caleb and Hans often go to movies together, and are currently playing Pathfinder, a tabletop role playing game, with two other BBBS matches. They’ve also been dabbling in outdoor activities like fishing, snowshoeing, canoeing, and cross-country skiing.
“I remember how difficult it was for Caleb to cross-county ski with his disability,” Hans said, “but he was so positive throughout the experience, and we had a lot of fun.”
The two have been matched now for almost three years. Caleb, who’s now in high school, has opened up significantly to Hans. He’s become more confident, outgoing, energetic, and has even started dating! Now, Caleb loves trying new sports and outdoor activities, and plays on his school’s volleyball team.
Although Hans has a busy schedule, he always makes time to see Caleb.
“Every time I come back from outings [with Caleb], it’s always well worth it. It puts life in perspective and reminds me to slow down,” Hans remarked.
