At just 11 years old, Jacob had already learned that life could ask a lot of a kid. With his parents absent from his life and his grandparents serving as his primary guardians, he often had to grow up faster than he should have. He needed someone to help carry some of that weight, someone who would show up, offer guidance, and remind him he was still a kid who deserved to have fun.
His grandmother knew how important it was for Jacob to have a positive male role model, so she turned to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay. After nearly two years of waiting, Jacob was matched with Buddy, a 60-year-old retired veteran and pilot. What began as a mentoring match grew into a lifelong bond neither of them could have anticipated.
Shortly after their match, Jacob experienced a profound loss when his grandfather passed away. During this difficult time, Buddy became more than a mentor. He became a steady, trusted presence in Jacob’s life. As their bond grew, Jacob asked if he could call Buddy “Dad,” a reflection of the deep connection they had built and the place Buddy had come to hold in his family.
Looking back, Jacob says Buddy gave him back his childhood. After growing up quickly in his household, he finally had someone who encouraged him to enjoy being a kid. Together, they made memories through fishing trips, baseball games, and learning to play golf. These seemingly simple outings became some of the most meaningful moments of Jacob’s childhood.
But Buddy’s impact didn’t stop when Jacob grew up.
The two were formally matched through Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay for seven years, until Jacob aged out of the program. Throughout every new chapter, Buddy remained in his corner. He cheered Jacob on as he graduated, served four years in the Marines, started a family, and began pursuing a career in teaching.
For Jacob, Buddy’s presence has been a constant reminder that he doesn’t have to navigate life’s challenges alone. For Buddy, watching Jacob grow into the man he is today has been a rewarding part of their journey together.
Their story is a powerful reminder that mentoring is about so much more than spending time together. It’s about showing up consistently, building trust, creating lasting memories, and becoming someone a young person can count on for years to come.
At Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay, we believe every child deserves a caring adult in their corner. Buddy and Jacob’s relationship shows what can happen when someone chooses to make that commitment: a mentor becomes a role model, a role model becomes family, and a relationship changes a life forever.
