Brotherly Bonds Formed in Madison House Program Still Strong After 3 Decades

Lewi Malnowski said meeting Chad Walldorf changed his life when they were matched in the Madison House Big Siblings program about 30 years ago. (Contributed photos)

Walldorf and Malnowski got together at least monthly, sometimes more often, during Walldorf’s last two years at UVA.

“He was a great kid, so we really hit it off,” Walldorf said. An American government major, Walldorf said he was inspired by his Zeta Psi fraternity brothers to get involved with the program, just as they had.

Malnowski said, “I knew very early on that Chad would be a great mentor. His commitment and dedication were amazing. He kept his word. If he promised to pick me up, he always came. This allowed me to open up and build trust.”

The potential for missing a meetup was something Walldorf worried about. 

“At first I was nervous that I wouldn’t be able to follow through,” Walldorf admitted, “but that was something that Madison House emphasized – ‘Do not let these kids down. You’re making a commitment to this kid. Do what you say you’re going to do.’”

Fortunately, “Lewi was such a delight to hang out with, it was something I looked forward to. It was super fun.”

Malnowski relayed that his mother, Linda Morris, told her son, “I signed you up for the program because there were many negative male role models in our neighborhood. I felt like you needed a strong positive male mentor at that time.”

After Walldorf graduated, he and Malnowski kept in touch sporadically, which got easier after cell phones and the internet. (Contributed photo)

She and Malnowski’s father had divorced when their son was 8. 

“I saw an immediate change in attitude, behavior and self-confidence in my son,” she added in an email praising Walldorf’s influence and the program. “Even over the years and after Chad left Charlottesville, he often reached out to check on Lewi. … I adore Chad and consider him family.”

The feeling is mutual for Walldorf, who said, “His mom was a force. I enjoyed talking with her, too.”

In those days, after Walldorf picked up Malnowski, they would do a variety of things that meant more to the child than the college student might’ve known – sitting down to a hot, cooked meal at the fraternity house (“Sometimes it was the best meal I had all week,” Malnowski said), playing frisbee or basketball, going fishing at Beaver Creek Park or just watching TV.

“Chad helped me with a science project,” Malnowski recalled. “It was building a volcano.”

Walldorf went to a few of Malnowski’s first basketball games. “It was huge to have that support,” Malnowski said.

“I had fun going to your games. You were a really good basketball player,” Walldorf said.

They still share a love for the Cavaliers, especially the basketball team.

One thing that made all the difference in the world, Malnowski said: Walldorf showed him what college life was like and encouraged Malnowski to consider it seriously.

“Chad was one of the first people to talk with me about college. I would say that his level of optimism gave me hope. He helped change my perception of the world. His mentorship and friendship had a major positive impact on my life.”

Malnowski, still a Charlottesville resident, ended up going to UVA – becoming the first college student in his family. He earned his associate’s degree from Piedmont Virginia Community College in 2005, then applied and transferred to the University (this was before the guaranteed transfer admission agreement between the two schools). He majored in history and graduated in 2007.

“It was helpful to go to community college,” Malnowski said. “It gave me the tools and study skills to be successful at UVA.”

After college, he joined the staff of Foot and Ankle Specialists of the Mid-Atlantic and eventually became a certified pedorthist in prosthetics and orthotics.

“Even today Chad still offers me excellent advice,” Malnowski said. “When I had a few issues with my employer, his advice helped me find a positive resolution.”

Malnowski and his family visited Walldorf and his family on Sullivan’s Island, South Carolina, before the pandemic. (Contributed photo)

Walldorf meanwhile has lived most of his adult life after college in Charleston, South Carolina, where he cofounded a popular barbeque restaurant chain called Sticky Fingers BBQ, which was later sold to a private equity firm. He is now involved in other real estate and entrepreneurial ventures.

“Not surprisingly, in the pre-cell phone/internet age we mostly lost touch after I graduated,” Walldorf said, “although I’d try to see Lewi when I’d get back to Charlottesville every few years.”

But lunches became fewer and farther between. Although building careers and families kept them busy, they reconnected about three years ago and brought their families together. In 2019, Malnowski took his wife and children on spring break to visit the Walldorfs on Sullivan’s Island.

“Our wives and kids got along quite well, which was really cool,” Walldorf said. “We now talk and text a lot more frequently, about the highs and lows of UVA sports, but also business, politics, racial issues, family, etc.” 

They definitely will see each other in the fall. Walldorf shared the good news that his oldest daughter Kate was just admitted early decision to UVA. Malnowski said he and his family are excited they’ll be able to reconnect with the Walldorfs during move-in weekend.

Before saying good-bye in their online meeting, Walldorf added, “I just want to say how proud I am of the adult, the person, the father Lewi has become. He’s grown into a wonderful man.

“And perhaps the coolest thing is that we each still consider each other brothers 30-plus years after Madison House put us together.”