Leah McCleskey has dedicated her career to helping those in need, driven by a strong sense of compassion and a commitment to community service. As a case manager working with unhoused individuals in Columbia, SC, Leah sees daily the challenges her clients face in accessing essential services. “I have a passion for helping people, and I’m a problem solver,” she says. “Homelessness is real, and working with the community is essential to addressing these issues.”
In 2021, Leah learned about Feonix’s Access to Care program, which provides free transportation for individuals struggling with economic or physical barriers. For Leah’s clients, access to transportation often determines their ability to attend medical appointments, secure food, or even reach social services. Before Feonix, many of her clients relied on public transportation, which often didn’t reach needed destinations.
Leah recalls one client, a single mother without custody of her child, who desperately needed access to a rehabilitation center located more than a mile past the last bus stop. Through Access to Care, Leah arranged door-to-door transportation, enabling her client to pursue recovery and work toward regaining stability. In another instance, Leah worked with a veteran struggling with PTSD and unable to access a food bank due to his car breaking down. Access to Care made it possible for him to receive healthy meals during his recovery period.
Leah’s work is a reminder of the profound impact that compassionate, accessible services can have on individuals facing hardship. Her dedication and the support from Feonix provide not just transportation but a lifeline that helps people rebuild and regain hope. The Access to Care program is made possible by partnerships with The COMET and the Midlands Council of Government in South Carolina. Their mission to enhance mobility options in the Midlands region supports Leah and Feonix in creating sustainable solutions for those in need. We thank The COMET and the Midlands Council of Government for their commitment to accessible transportation and transformative community impact.