BBBSNEW Blog

Each month, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Wisconsin shines a light on the relationships that we are helping build within our community. Please help us congratulate Big Brother Jacob Kaster and his Little Brother Kevin of Green Bay — our Brown County Match of the Month for November.

Where did you hear about Big Brothers Big Sisters?

Jacob Kaster: My sister-in-law recommended it.

Why did you want to become involved?

JK: I wanted to volunteer my time to something, this was the perfect opportunity.

Why did you want to have a Big Brother?

Kevin: I didn’t even know I was getting a Big Brother until the day he showed up. I must have forgotten or my parents never told me, but it was a surprise on the day that he showed up at my apartment.

What do you do when you spend time together?

JK: We go to movies, play video games, have recently gone hiking, board games. We tried to make our own kites, but they did not hold up.

What is your favorite memory with your Big?

K: When we took the kites that we had spent multiple days making out on a windy day and the moment we took them out of the car, they tore apart and we didn’t get to fly kites that day.

Is there something in particular that stands out as a memorable time with your Little?

JK: The conversations we have had. Over time, he has been able to open up to me and I have been able to open up to him. Especially now that he is older, we relate to each other even better.

Is there something you would like to do together in the future, and why?

K: I would like to do the Spartan Run with Jake in the future because he had done it this past summer and it sounded like a really cool and fun experience.

Is there something in the future that you would like to do together, or that you look forward to experiencing together?

JK: Camping. It is something that we have talked about, just have not executed it as of yet.

What is something that you learned from your Big?

K: Jake has taught me to openly express myself with my friends.

What have you enjoyed about being a Big?

JK: Knowing that Kevin has been positively impacted by the experience. He has opened up so much in the time we have been matched.

In what way has being matched with your Little affected you and your life?

JK: It has enriched it more. I do consider myself a rich person with the people in my life, but make no mistake, my life would be less enriched if I never knew Kevin.

What would you say to others about Big Brothers Big Sisters and to others who are thinking about becoming a Big?

JK: That it is a great organization and that they would not regret it.

How has being matched with a Big made a difference for you?

K: Being matched with Jake has made a huge difference on me. Over the years he has been somebody I could talk to about anything and gives great advice. He has also been a great friend and I’ve had some of my best experiences with him.