Big Brother Joe and Little Brother Carter
Meet Big Brother Joe and Little Brother Carter, who have been matched for 2 years now!
Joe and Carter first met through the Community-Based mentorship program in July 2024 and have been exchanging perspectives and having friendly competitions ever since.
Joe first learned about Big Brothers Big Sisters after joining coworkers at The Big Celebration in Kosciusko County. As he listened to people tell their stories and experiences in the program, he felt moved to take the opportunity to give back in this way, too.
After Carter’s dad passed, someone recommended the Big Brothers Big Sisters program to Carter’s mom, Niki. This seemed like a good opportunity for her son, so she signed him up. Before meeting Joe, Carter was hesitant about being in the program.
Starting as strangers, Carter felt a bit shy at first, but little by little, he began to open up. The two have so much in common; it was easy to do so.
Although Niki didn’t quite know what the program would be like, Carter’s mentorship with Joe exceeded any expectations she might have had. It’s quickly clear why the two were paired together. Carter’s laid-back, polite, and calm demeanor works well with his Big’s easy-going personality. This Little also plays basketball at his high school, while Joe coaches soccer at Grace College. The match’s sporty and outdoorsy interests make them a great fit, especially their shared competitive spirit.
When asked about favorite memories together, Joe joked, “He thinks he’s better than me at basketball…He’s not.”
The pair takes their competitions outdoors and plays sports together, such as basketball, soccer, and golf. When they aren’t playing sports, they’re often watching them at games. But if it’s a more chill hangout they’re looking for, Joe and Carter go to restaurants or to Joe’s house to cook. There, they can sit down and chat while they eat, which turns out to be some of their favorite moments together.
As a coach for Grace College’s men’s and women’s soccer teams, Joe brings a coach’s perspective to their conversations. He talks to his Little about being a student-athlete and the kind of hard work that comes with the title, especially having the grades to pair with athletic skill.
“We can trade off some ideas, some challenges, and work together like how I would advise my athletes to overcome things. I see how he's feeling, and so I can get the athlete’s perspective but give him how I see things as a coach, too,” explained Joe.
However, Joe is not one to push. He gives his Little the room to share with him on his own terms. Carter appreciates his Big’s “nice and caring” personality and how his Big is “always there” for him. Much closer than when they first met, this Little says talking to Joe even helps him remember his dad, and he feels comfortable talking to him about anything.
“I'm not scared to talk to him. I can talk to him about certain things that I can't talk to other people about, you know?” shared Carter about how his match has changed.
Carter’s mom believes the BBBS program helped her family open up to meeting new people and letting a new person into their lives. Even something as simple as Joe taking Carter to meet his soccer players at Grace College has been a good experience for her son. Niki can tell his mentor approaches their match with care, and that influences him, she says.
“I feel like every time he comes back with a little more confidence, like that little pep in his step. He’s definitely gained a support system that he knows is there, and I think that builds some confidence in him,” explained Niki.
Carter sees his Big Brother as someone who always looks out for others, which is a lesson he has taken from his mentor.
“How to be a nice person and always be humble, and just always look out for each other, no matter who you're with,” said Carter.
Joe feels the difference being a mentor has made in his life, too, saying he has learned just as much from Carter.
“To see how he just carries on and his mentality on things is really eye-opening, and I’ve learned just as much from him as, probably, he learns from me. He just carries on and works hard,” said Joe.
Be Big!
Mentorship brings learning opportunities but also fun memories. If you are looking for a volunteer opportunity to let you get more involved in your city, this could be the program for you.
This match is excited to continue going with the flow and seeing what adventures life brings them next. More fun memories are in store, added to their current favorite stories such as chocolate cake slices the size of Carter’s face and their classic Big-vs-Little competitions.
“There's so much you can learn out with your Big that it’s just crazy. There’s so much to learn about,” said Carter.
“I know it probably seems a little overwhelming, but once you get to know your Little, like I said, you learn just as much from them as they learn from you because of their stories,” explained Joe.
Take the next step to joining Big Brothers Big Sisters by visiting www.bbbsnei.org or calling 260-456-1600.
