Not only did Fr. Tom start  Hands Together in Haiti, he was instrumental in the founding of what is now the Landis Center here at Lafayette College.  This is just a brief history.  I am in Chicago as I write this. I have joined an ASB trip and do not have all of the dates, etc. with me.  So I will fill that in when I return to Easton.

What I do know is that in the mid 1980’s Fr. Tom and some students initiated some partnerships with Easton.  The most famous is KIC – Kids in Community.  This started when the students started a summer camp for the children in Easton.  They brought the kids to Lafayette College for a week of fun and educational activities. Twenty years later, we have POSP – Pre-Orientation Service Program.  During the week before the regular First Year Orientation, about 30 First Year students join 25 or so returning students in four days of civic engagement.  The major component of this experience is KIC Camp.  The Lafayette students plan and facilitate wonderful activities for the children including a trip on the last day to a local park for an adventure in nature.  KIC continues through the Fall and Spring semester with an after-school program at two public housing community centers and the Boys and Girls Club Teen Center.

Another program that owes its existence to Fr. Tom and the students is Safe Harbor.  The legend is that some Lafayette students invited some homeless neighbors of Easton to live in the basement of a fraternity house. Due to some logistical issues, this activity was moved to College Hill Presbyterian  Church and later become Safe Harbor as we know it.  This partnership continues with evenings of conversation, as well as donations through out the year.

I also think that our Alternative School Break first trip was with Fr. Tom to Haiti.  You can see how ASB has developed by perusing their website.