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Family of 7 takes in 82-year-old widower neighbor as their new 'grandpa'

"You get many chances to talk to people. If you don't take a chance, you may miss a friend."

Paul Callahan, 82, with the Caraballo family.

In 2023, the Caraballo family welcomed a new member: their neighbor from across the street, 82-year-old Paul Callahan. Callahan, a widower, lost his wife prior to the Caraballo's moving in. It makes sense their new neighbor was feeling lonely, but a beautiful friendship was on the way. After their initial meeting, Callahan quickly became like a grandfather to the Caraballos, a family of seven, and the story went viral. Various publications and news outlets covered the heartwarming blended family and they were even invited to appear on Good Morning America and The Kelly Clarkson Show.

South West News Service first reported the whole story, writing that when Sharaine, then 32, and Wilson Caraballo, then 42, moved their family of seven into a new home in Pawtucket, Rhode Island in 2022, they weren’t sure how they’d be received. "Our biggest fear moving into a new neighborhood was, 'What if our neighbors don't like us?' What if, because we have a lot of kids, they make a lot of noise and we come from a big family, so what if there's any conflict with the neighbors?" Sharaine told USA Today. "We're the only Black family in our neighborhood."

But all that fear quickly dissipated when their new neighbor, Callahan, showed up with a ladder and offered to help the family spruce up their new home.

- YouTubeyoutu.be

“He was coming over with tools. He’d bring screwdrivers and teach Wilson how to fix up the garage, and Wilson followed all his advice,” Sharaine told South West News Service. The octogenarian soon became a fixture at the Caraballo house. Now, Callahan stops by nearly every day and can always be found at the family’s cookouts, gatherings, and holidays.

Callahan has become a great friend to the family’s children, whom he entertains with stories from his past. "The kids run up to him like that's their grandfather," Sharaine said. "Paul is definitely a family member. He's no longer considered a neighbor."

Callahan believes that it’s all about taking the time to be friendly.

heart, gif, friendly, family, kindness New friends can quickly become family.Giphy

"You get many chances to talk to people. If you don't take a chance, you may miss a friend," Callahan said. "It doesn't hurt to be nice. That's the other thing, it costs you nothing, but a lot of times, you get a better return."

family, caraballos, callahan, neighbors, blended familyFamily of seven takes in elderly neighbor as honorary grandpauw-media.usatoday.com

Sharaine keeps her well-wishers updated on the doings of her family, including Callahan, on her Instagram page. Though she hasn't posted about Callahan specifically since their mini media storm, she keeps posts about their story and media appearance pinned to the top of her page for all to see.

This article originally appeared two years ago.

via Red, White and Brew / Facebook

Michael Coyne is a Special Olympics Athlete living with Autism, bipolar disorder, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

But what his character is defined by is determination.

After becoming an adult, Coyne had a hard time finding a job. "After I turned 21, I applied to multiple places. None of them would hire me," Michael Coyne said according to People.

So he enrolled in business classes through Rhode Island's Developmental Disabilities Council. After completing his classes, Coyne and his mother, Sheila, teamed up to open a coffee shop that's inclusive for people with disabilities.


The shop sells coffee made with locally-roasted beans as well as pastries, muffins, and calzones.

via Red, White, and Brew / Facebook

The coffee shop is called Red, White, & Brew and is connected to a craft store called Budding Violet that sells homemade products made by artists with disabilities.

RELATED: A viral story about David Bowie giving a boy with autism his 'invisible mask' is a must-read

Although it hasn't been open very long, it's already having an impact on the community.

"We've had parents come in with tears in their eyes with the hope that their young children will eventually be accepted into the community," Sheila added.

She believes the coffee shop gives parents "hope" they're young people will eventually be accepted in the community.

via Red, White, and Brew / Facebook

The company's commitment to inclusivity is part of its mission statement:

We are a family owned coffee shop serving up more than a cup of coffee. We employ people with developmental disabilities, encourage community engagement, and change the way the world sees those with disabilities. #IamABLE

RELATED: ICU nurse adopts a man with autism so he can have a life-saving heart transplant

Michael hopes that as the business grows he will be able to hire people with and without disabilities so they can work together.

"What I liked about the coffee shop idea is the community. We learn on both sides," Shiela said. "We teach people, 'Yeah, he has a disability, but look what he's doing. And he's out in the community getting his social skills.'"

In the end, for Michael, it's all about providing opportunities for himself and others.

"We just want to integrate," Michael said.