After the Covey children lost their father suddenly last year, their mother, Heidi, enrolled them in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program.
The Pittsburgh branch was able to find matches for five of the six of the siblings in just one day, a historic feat for the branch. Finding the right matches between “Bigs” and “Littles” can take up to a year. The Coveys met with their “Bigs” for the first time on Tuesday at BBBS in East Liberty.
“I think it’s showing them a little hope for their future. Like just because their dad’s not here doesn’t mean you have to give up having fun, and mommy doesn’t have to do everything, there are other people that are coming in,” Ms. Covey said.
From left, the Covey children, Colin, 13, Corrine, 12, Chloe, 9, Cody, 5, Carter, 10, and Cooper, 7, all of Brentwood, jump for a photo for staff members as they celebrate being matched with their “Bigs,” Tuesday, May 14, 2019, at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Pittsburgh in East Liberty. (Stephanie Strasburg/Post-Gazette)From left, Zandra McDonald, an enrollment and match specialist, of Hickory, Heidi Covey, of Brentwood, and Erica Strafalace, a match support specialist, of Shaler, laugh together as they celebrate the historic match. Ms. Covey, who is legally blind, enrolled her children in the program following the loss of her husband. “Now heading into summertime when they’re free, they’re going to have somebody to be friends with … someone who’s really investing in them, in time and caring,” she said. (Stephanie Strasburg/Post-Gazette)Colin Covey, 13, center, of Brentwood, plays chess with his brand new “Big Brother,” Adam Siecinski, left, 25, of South Side, as his siblings spend time with their new “Bigs.” Colin, who loves the show “American Ninja Warrior,” was matched with Siecinski, who is training to compete on the show. (Stephanie Strasburg/Post-Gazette)Corinne Covey, 12, of Brentwood, plays cards with her newly matched “Big Sister,” Pat Dekret, not pictured, 64, of Castle Shannon. (Stephanie Strasburg/Post-Gazette)Debbie Schaupp, 51, of Oakdale, poses for a photo with her new “Little,” Chloe Covey, 9, of Brentwood, as they meet for the first time in their new “Big Sister” relationship. Debbie, a preschool teacher, says she enjoys helping children evolve by giving new experiences to them. (Stephanie Strasburg/Post-Gazette)Steve Scheerer, left, 31, of Shadyside, plays Legos with his new “Little,” Carter Covey, 10, of Brentwood, as they meet each other for the first time. Scheerer says he thought the match was destined to be when he found out that Carter also comes from a family with six siblings and also lost his father last year. (Stephanie Strasburg/Post-Gazette)Chloe Covey, left, 9, of Brentwood, meets with her “Big,” Debbie Schaupp, 51, of Oakdale, for the first time as they figure out what Cooper would like to do in their new “Big Sister” relationship. (Stephanie Strasburg/Post-Gazette)Colin Covey, 13, left, of Brentwood, talks with his brand new “Big Brother,” Adam Siecinski, right, 25, of South Side, as they talk about what goals they have for the summer. (Stephanie Strasburg/Post-Gazette)Corinne Covey, front left, 12, of Brentwood, plays cards with her newly matched “Big Sister,” Pat Dekret, right, 64, of Castle Shannon, as her sister, Chloe, 9, reacts behind them. (Stephanie Strasburg/Post-Gazette)From left, Colin Covey, 13, of Brentwood, his new “Big Brother,” Adam Siecinski, 25, of South Side, Cooper Covey, 7, of Brentwood, and Cooper’s new “Big,” Jeff Axton, 36, of Shaler, laugh together as they get dressed up for a photo celebrating their match. (Stephanie Strasburg/Post-Gazette)
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