Donor Helps Homeless JRW Family

Leak & Sons Funeral Home to pay the rent for Jaheim Benton's family for one year

Help is on the way for the struggling family of a Jackie Robinson West player.

Days after returning home from a successful Little League World Series, Jaheim Benton was forced to face his own personal reality -- his family does not have a home.

Benton's mother, Devona, said she told few people about the family's plight because she didn't want the focus to shift from the team during its LLWS run.

"It has been hard. I tell him to hold his head up and it's gonna be alright," Devona Benton said. "He's still holding his head up. He's a kid."

Family members have been living in separate homes since July after Devona Benton's hours were cut at work. Jaheim's father works part time.

But even throughout the struggles, the baseball diamond became a refuge for the 12-year-old boy.

"I told him to get out there and play ball, despite him knowing we lost our home, and he got out there and still played. He didn't give up," Davona Benton said.

Business owner Spencer Leak, Jr., of Leak & Sons Funeral Home heard about the family's plight and is paying their rent for one year in a home of their choosing.

"Superstars and homeless don't mix, and for the next year, this star will not have to worry about a house," Leak said.

Jaheim scored the game-winning run in Jackie Robinson West's U.S. championship win.

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