Teamwork makes the dream work. As the On-Field Hydration Coach for the Chelsea High School football team, Lee Chambers has grown and thrived.
Getting to know Lee
Lee has lived at St. Louis Center for 24 years. The Center has been truly blessed by his presence as he has grown into the man he is today.
Lee’s story is an inspiring one:
When Lee was 16, his mother, Lisa, was facing a challenge that she didn’t know how to overcome. As Lee grew into his teens, he began to wander away from her for hours at a time, specifically when she would take him to the grocery store. Lisa said he would often leave the store and, on several occasions, it took her almost a full day to find Lee and bring him home. As these “wandering-offs” occurred more often, Lisa struggled with the difficulty and fear they were causing. While expressing her frustration to a coworker, she was told about St. Louis Center. As it turned out, the coworker has a son who still lives here today. Lisa had never heard of St. Louis Center before that day, but she said sending him here was the best decision she’s ever made for Lee.
“The existence of SLC gives me a piece of mind that when the Lord calls me home that I can go peacefully knowing that Lee is surrounded by the families that choose him, SLC, Chelsea Football Team and the CHS Group.” – Lisa, Lee’s mother
Lisa mentioned, “Sometimes I ask him if he wants to come live with me again, but the answer is always no.” Lee is always happy to return to St. Louis Center after his visits home; and even if his mom misses him, she can rest easy because she knows “He loves it there and it allows him to be him.”
That statement couldn’t be more true; everyone around the Center loves to see Lee coming. Part of his charm is that he enjoys teasing and joking around with the staff and other residents. If Lee learns you are a sports fan, you can always expect to hear about the latest game update, especially if his favorite teams, the Detroit Lions and the Clemson Tigers, are playing.
Empowering fullness of life
One of the Center’s main goals is to encourage our residents to live their fullest lives. Part of that mission is to help them pursue the ability to contribute to society and the community in a sustainable way. One of the ways our residents can do this is by working according to their ability. Lee has held a couple of jobs in the past, including one at Polly’s Country Market, where he bagged groceries, among other tasks. Now, Lee has had the opportunity to work with the Chelsea Varsity Football Team as the On-Field Hydration Coach. He first started working with the team in 2018 and ever since his first introduction to the team, Lee has attended almost every practice and game.
Lee’s mother Lisa said, “He looks forward to it more than words can say.” Football season is one of the highlights of Lee’s year. Because of that excitement and purpose that comes around during the fall season, St. Louis Center staff members have reported that Lee is his most joyful self when he gets to work with the team. He is more responsible with his duties around the Center, and he is even nicer to the rest of the residents. The motivation that this experience provides is life-changing for Lee. Lisa said, “It gives him confidence and makes him feel like a man. It makes him feel part of something.”
A Part of the Team
Because of Lee’s commitment and excitement towards this opportunity, the players and coaches have gotten to know him well. He said that some of the players knew him from when he worked at Polly’s, but it didn’t take long for the rest of them to fall into an easy and friendly rhythm with Lee. One of the players on the team even said, “The team loves Lee. He always has great energy that he brings to every practice.” Anyone who knows Lee knows he has a playful and mischievous personality. The players seem to match that energy as they interact with him on and off the field. One player mentioned how “the team reacts to Lee by feeding off of his energy. Whenever we are around him, it’s always great.” 
Lee has also made his way into the Chelsea coaches’ hearts. Lee personally mentioned that one of his favorite parts of being on the team is getting “spoiled with goodies” by Coach Dean. Lee explained that because Dean cannot have sugar, he gives every sugary gift he receives to Lee.
Because of this impactful experience, many bonds have been built and many memories have been made. Lee shares that football is his favorite time of year. He loves being on the sideline, making sure the players are safe and keeping them all out of trouble. Lee doesn’t simply love this time of year because he can directly participate in his favorite sport. He loves it because, during this time, he is surrounded by a large group of his friends and people who care about him. He plays a vital role on the team, which gives Lee the confidence to know that he is important to the team. Lisa said Lee talks about the football team and his job with everyone that he possibly can.
One of the players added, “He also has a great attitude. He loves talking to players and filling water bottles. Whenever I see him running out on the field with water for the players, he is always smiling.” Because of Lee’s consistent joyfulness on and off the field, the people around him, specifically the players, have the unique opportunity to interact positively with and get to know someone they might not have been able to if circumstances were different. This life-changing opportunity has allowed Lee and the players to connect and build relationships based on their common interests. Another 
team member mentioned that some of his favorite memories of Lee include when the Tigers were in the playoffs and Lee would tell the players the score after every practice, like clockwork.
“Everyone on the team accepts him and they look for him to be a part of the team.” – Lisa, Lee’s mother
From an outside perspective, it is clear that Lee and the team have a great relationship, especially after learning from Lee that the team will oftentimes playfully spray him with water and, on occasion, attempt to dump the water bucket over his head, per the usual football tradition. From an inside perspective, the impact Lee has had on the players and vice-versa is evident. Through his role on the team, Lee has not only empowered others to reach their full potential, but has also found a deeper sense of purpose and strength within himself.
At the end of the day…
While our residents choose their paths through life, it is important that they be a part of something larger than themselves. For Lee, it was joining the football team and building up the players while being encouraged himself. He loves being a part of a winning team and giving a helping hand wherever he can. Lee’s mother said that if he could have, Lee would have probably pursued being a pro athlete. But because of this opportunity, Lee still gets to be a part of a team and “live out his dream through others.”
By Karinna Hershberger
