For the second consecutive year, Mercer Law faculty, staff, and students are gearing up to take a stand against homelessness in the community through a compelling service-learning project organized by United Way of Central Georgia and Mercer Law. On August 14, 2024, from 9 to 11 am, the incoming 1L Class will be devoting their time and efforts to the Brookdale Resource Center, with a mission to create positive change and address the pressing issue of homelessness.

The upcoming service-learning project, set to coincide with Orientation Day, will see Mercer Law faculty, staff, and students actively engage in diverse activities at Brookdale. This immersive experience will grant them invaluable insights into the center's operations, the challenges faced by individuals experiencing homelessness, and the strides being taken to combat this pressing social issue.

Mercer Law and United Way of Central Georgia will also partner with Keeping Macon-Bibb Beautiful to beautify the surroundings of the Brookdale Resource Center, further underscoring their collective commitment to making a positive impact in the community.

Preparing for the practice of law goes beyond what happens in the classroom. It includes becoming an engaged leader in the community. Mercer Law School has a long tradition of producing lawyers who are ready to practice and are committed to serve. According to Dean Karen J. Sneddon, “Our students, under appropriate supervision, participate in externships and clinics that promote access to legal services. Our student organizations raise funds and directly support a number of organizations in Middle Georgia. We are intentional about incorporating a service-learning event into orientation to promote community engagement from the first day of law school. The service-learning event is just one of many ways in which the students will make an impact in the community.”

The Brookdale Resource Center, a pioneering initiative in partnership with Macon-Bibb and United Way, has been a driving force in combating homelessness in the region. By offering a comprehensive 90-day program that provides transitional housing and essential support services, the center has made a significant impact on the lives of numerous families and individuals in need.

Among the remarkable features of the Brookdale Resource Center is the Gardens at Brookdale, a flourishing project that has yielded impressive results. In 2023, the garden contributed more than 4,230 pounds of fresh produce to the center's kitchen, which servs as a vital source of nourishment for those experiencing homelessness and supporting the center's mission. So far in 2024, the garden has produced more than 2,000 pounds of fresh produce and is on track to out-produce last year’s harvest.

We cordially invite all members of the media to join us on August 14, 2024, at the Brookdale Resource Center to witness firsthand the dedication of Mercer Law's incoming 1L Class as they participate in this impactful service-learning project. This collaboration between United Way of Central Georgia, Mercer Law, and Keeping Macon-Bibb Beautiful exemplifies the power of community engagement and the potential for transformative change when passionate organizations and future legal professionals unite for a common cause.