At thirteen, Landen is discovering which activities he most enjoys. He likes playing basketball. Football is out because he broke his arm playing that, and doesn’t really like “pushing people around. I’m more a lover, not a fighter,” he says with a shy grin.
He does like video games and already has beaten all the Batman games.
The home of his hard-working parents includes nine people. Several children are foster siblings and some now have been adopted. Landen gets along well with all and says he likes to help people, in and out of his family. He enjoyed helping some friends move their household.
With such a large family, Landen will benefit from one-on-one time with a Big Brother.
He hopes a Big might teach him how to work out, maybe at a gym, to get his rapidly growing frame in shape. He likes riding his bicycle and his go-cart, and would appreciate a Big Brother who could provide more opportunities to do both. Landen says he was “really happy” when his dad took him four-wheeling. He also wants to try fishing.
His favorite subjects at school are art (he draws), social studies and history. For example, he says, “It makes me happy learning about Abraham Lincoln and what he did.” He would like to explore the area’s history, and visit ancient Native American ruins. He’s been to the Grand Canyon, which he thought was pretty cool, but rather unnerving. “I’m trying to conquer a fear of heights,” he says.
Anyone interested in being a Big to Landen or another child, or in referring a potential Little, can call Yavapai Big Brothers Big Sisters at 928-778-5135, or if you can’t be a Big, how about supporting a Big? The Arizona State Tax Credit is one way to do so. YBBBS always can use volunteer office help and has other ways people can be involved, as well. Go ahead and call. The rewards can be endless.