Y Heroes: Caleb Dejonge, Y on Granby
Caleb Dejonge is a 24 year-old adult with diverse abilities. He has been a Y on Granby member since we opened three years ago. Currently, he is in the care of a guardian and lives with another adult, also with diverse abilities. Caleb is at The Y on Granby each and every day, and in the summertime, he is at The Y all day long.
He works for Eggleston Services but has struggled to keep work for a variety of reasons. However, at The Y on Granby, we put him to work! He has helped with a variety of tasks like putting together new member packets, to assisting day camp counselors with getting supplies for different activities, to greeting members as they come in to work out.
Caleb also plays basketball with the teens and likes to work out regularly. I think his favorite thing to do is to just talk to all of the staff. Caleb LOVES the Redskins and will talk your ear off about them and NFL football in general! He is also a huge WWE fan. Caleb recently submitted an application to volunteer because he said, "I'm here all of the time anyway, I might as well volunteer or work or something."
We are his family and this is his home. If the Y on Granby was not here, I don't want to think about where he would be.
As a part of our 2017 Annual Giving Campaign, we are showcasing a different person (or family) at each of our family centers. We are calling this our Y Heroes project. This video platform is a way for us to highlight people and/or program areas that have been positively impacted by the dollars we raise as a non-profit organization and relate back to each community our Association serves.
When you give to the Y, you continue to strengthen our community and move us all forward. As the nation's leading nonprofit for youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, the Y uses your gift to make a meaningful, enduring impact right in your own neighborhood. Your gift ensures that the Y's programs and services will be open to all. Consider making a gift today. www.ymcashr.org/GIVE