When Colin Waszkiewicz, a financial professional with Vista Wealth Solutions, lost his best friend Kyle Conrad to esophageal cancer, he didn't know that grief would become the foundation for something remarkable.
But that's exactly what happened. What began as a way to honor Conrad's memory has evolved into C the Light Foundation, a nonprofit serving K–12 students throughout Berks County, Pennsylvania, with programs designed to build confidence, character, and community.
A friendship that became a foundation
Waszkiewicz and Conrad grew up together in Berks County, their friendship forged through sports, competition, and a shared love of music. They pushed each other to be better — on the field, in the gym, and in life. Both thrived because mentors believed in them and coaches invested time to help them grow.
Conrad had a gift for seeing potential in others before they saw it in themselves. He was the kind of person who naturally lifted others up and looked for ways to help.
When Conrad was diagnosed with esophageal cancer, Waszkiewicz stepped in to support his best friend the only way he knew how. He became Conrad's financial professional, helping him and his family navigate an overwhelming chapter with as much stability and care as possible.
After Conrad passed, Waszkiewicz and Conrad's widow, Lauren, made a decision: They would continue the generosity Conrad lived every day. The C the Light Foundation was created as a living tribute to a friend who understood what it meant to invest in others.
Waszkiewicz’s work has resulted in a $10,000 donation from the MassMutual Foundation for C the Light Foundation— a testament to the impact one person's dedication can have when channeled into meaningful action.
Building confidence through connection
Today, C the Light serves K–12 students across Berks County with a mission built on three core principles: coaching, connection, and community. The goal is simple but powerful — help kids believe in themselves and understand their responsibility to give back.
C the Light Foundation offers programs that give young people access to opportunities they might not otherwise have: life coaching and mentoring; leadership development through service projects; and resources for athletics, arts, and skill-building.
Waszkiewicz serves as treasurer, but his role goes far beyond managing budgets and paperwork. He's involved in brainstorming new programs, maintaining close relationships with administrators at Governor Mifflin School District to identify where students need support, and showing up at practices and games to coach and mentor directly.
One program Waszkiewicz is especially proud of is the new music studio, created to honor Conrad's musical talent and give teens a creative outlet. Some students find their confidence through sports. Others discover it through music, storytelling, or production work. The studio gives them space to explore and grow.
C the Light Foundation also operates the C-Shed, where students can access free sports equipment, and a video production studio that helps young athletes and creators share their stories and build communication skills.
Every year, since its formation, C the Light Foundation hosts a 3-on-3 basketball tournament that brings together more than 200 participants. Over the years, many of Conrad's former high school teammates — at least one of which went on to a professional career — have participated in the tournament with the goal of keeping Conrad's spirit alive.
Every student who picks up equipment from the C-Shed, experiments with sound in the music studio, or finds courage through coaching adds to a legacy that began with one person's ability to see potential in others. Waszkiewicz says that was Conrad's gift — recognizing what someone could become before they saw it themselves. Through C the Light Foundation, that gift continues.
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