Lee University Students Launch Statewide Campaign
A group of Lee University public relations students last week launched a Tennessee statewide campaign titled “Be a Neighbor. Be a Volunteer. Be Tennessee.” The campaign’s aim is to raise awareness about the national movement, Home Matters, and its beliefs on the significance of affordable housing. They held a press conference and reception on Feb. 2 at the Tennessee State Capitol to kick-off the campaign.
On Monday, the four students on the “423 PR Bateman” team, Megan Ash, Allie Cable, Megan Jafari and Katelyn Tresh, hosted the press conference in the Legislative Library along with State Representative and Lee alumnus Kevin Brooks and CEO and President of Chattanooga Neighborhood Enterprise, Martina Guilfoil.
To open the press conference, State Representative Brooks stated, “At some point today we were at our house, we had our four walls, we were safe, we were warm, and our family was with us. Thousands of Tennesseans don’t have that.”
(L to R): Katelyn Tresh, Allie Cable, State Representative Kevin Brooks, Megan Ash, Megan Jafari, Professor and Advisor Patty Silverman (click image to enlarge)
Later that evening, a reception was held at 7:30 p.m. in the Legislative Library. Those attending included local housing authorities, government officials and others interested in the Home Matters movement.
“We have made a lot of connections about the importance housing has in people’s lives. How it really impacts Education” said Guilfoil at the reception. “We know now that people that have secure homes now have much better educational attainment. We know that people that have secure housing have much better health outcomes. We know that people that live in secure housing have much better public safety and secured neighborhoods. We know that people that live in secure housing and neighborhoods have a much better economy because they have more money to spend on necessities.”
To conclude the evening, representing the Bateman team, Jafari stated, “We believe it’s our duty as civilians to care for the community in which we live, and Home Matters believes that this movement is the perfect way to do so. Let’s make Home Matters matter in Tennessee.”
Home Matters™ (www.homemattersamerica.com) is a national movement that aims to build public support for the essential role that Home plays as the bedrock for thriving lives, families, and a stronger nation. Participating in Home Matters is a coast-to-coast coalition composed of members of the general public, leaders of housing and community development organizations, as well as other organizations concerned about increasing the positive impact of Home in their communities. The coalition includes regional and local organizations from across the nation, as well as national entities like the National NeighborWorks® Association, Citi Community Development, and Wells Fargo.
The Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) holds a national competition called Bateman every year for students to gain experience and knowledge about developing and implementing a full public relations campaign – including research, planning, implementation and evaluation. The Bateman competition gives students ample opportunities to step out of a classroom setting and experience a taste of real-world professionalism.
(Source: Lee University)
