Sometimes, meeting the right person is worth the wait.
In 2020, LaCasha reached out to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Berks County to find a “Big” (mentor) for her “Little” (mentee) 8-year-old son, Jacob. Like many single moms, the most important thing for her was to find a role model for her son.
Three long years later, Jacob was still waiting.
But the team at BBBS of Berks never gave up hope. As Liz Beilhart, Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Berks County, explains, “We encouraged LaCasha to stay put and were really thankful that she stayed engaged the entire time.”
With support from the BBBS of Berks and the vital services made possible through United Way of Berks County and your contributions, Jacob met his Big in 2023.
That’s when everything changed.
The Perfect Match
In 2022, Greg came to BBBS of Berks looking to mentor a kid in the community. The BBBS of Berks team describes Greg as compassionate and hardworking with just the right amount of common sense.
“I wanted to see if I could find someone who would benefit from hanging out with me and being a positive role model,” Greg recalls.
That someone turned out to be Jacob.
After their first get together at a Reading Fightin Phils game, the two became inseparable and it was clear that the wait was over for Greg and Jacob.
Empowering Youth Through Accountability
The BBBS of Berks only requires Littles and Bigs to meet once a month, but Greg and Jacob always go above and beyond.
“I bring him around my family a lot,” Greg explains enthusiastically. “He’s become part of the family, runs up, gives my parents a lot of love.”
But Greg’s relationship with Jacob is far more than fun and games—he’s a role model. When Jacob’s school performance dipped, Greg was ready to step in and help.
Gill Copestick, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Berks County Casework Manager, explains that “Greg reminds Jacob, ‘you have to have a good day at school, show respect, show kindness, focus on your work.’ Then the reward is getting to play basketball.”
A few months later, Jacob was excited to share that he was succeeding in school and doing well on the team.
The Power of Partnership
Stories like Jacob’s remind us that matching a Little with a Big is more than just hanging out—it can be a life-changing relationship. But success stories like these aren’t possible without professional supervision.
Most of the costs at BBBS of Berks go toward staffing to make sure every match is a safe and thriving fit. Through the generous support of people like you, United Way of Berks County financially supports these programs.
Because of a community that truly believes in the power of mentorship and building good character, Jacob is no longer searching for a role model. He has found a mentor like Greg who sees his potential—and now, Jacob sees it too.
United Way of Berks County turns compassion into action, uniting people and organizations to build a stronger community for all. We accomplish this vision through four primary focus areas: empower youth, strengthen health, build stability, and support for families in times of crisis.
But we can’t offer hope for today and thriving for tomorrow without you. Are you ready to join us and change lives across Berks?