By Rachel Westcott

Students from Lee University distributed food and visited with some of Chattanooga’s homeless population on Saturday, Feb. 20 as part of Lee’s Learn, Engage, and Achieve Program (LEAP).

Shortly after the sun rose on Saturday morning, 19 Lee students met early for an orientation, prepared sandwiches, boarded a bus and headed to Chattanooga’s Miller Park. In preparation of this day, LEAP students gathered coats, clothes, and toiletries for the poor.

According to LEAP director Dr. Suzanne Holt, the students were received by Chattanooga’s homeless community with open arms.

“Our students formed friendships, shared stories and laughter, and even tossed around a football with the younger children,” said Holt. “They were encouraged to cultivate a life of service.”

Jonathan Lambert, a senior accounting major, was one of the students from Lee who participated in this day of service. While he expected the project to be impactful to those receiving a free lunch, he admitted he did not realize how life-changing it would be for him.

“I was fortunate enough to meet a 22-year-old man, my age, who became homeless just two weeks ago,” said Lambert. “After speaking with him, I realized that although these people were without a physical home, they were no different. Like me, they have the same needs – shelter, community, and hope.”

LEAP, an initiative designed to help Lee students succeed and graduate, is a five-year program that provides success coaching, peer mentoring, and enhanced academic support for students. The goal for the program is to increase academic achievement that will lead to higher retention and graduation rates.

For more information, visit LEAP or check out their Facebook page.