Ten-year-old Chase Hansen is on a mission to help the homeless, and he has some simple advice: “Just start with a smile.”
Chase, who is from Salt Lake City, Utah, started Project Empathy, an effort he founded that stemmed from an initial idea to give smoothies to people in need. He told Good Morning America:
“What makes me want to do it is just seeing their reaction. When you donate to a local homeless shelter or something, you really don’t see their gratitude. You don’t get to see their faceBut if you do it in person, you can make a connection. You can make a bond.”
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Hansen, with the help of his dad, first started helping his local community at the age of 4. So far, he has shared over 150 meals, and his efforts have grown into a project fueled by a passion that highlights faith and community.
According to Hansen, said even modest gestures can make a difference to those who are less fortunate. He said:
“Just start with a smile, a hello. It really just starts with that. Then introduce yourself and when you feel comfortable and you’ve smiled and talked to enough people you’ll feel power to go out and invite them to a meal. That’s a good opportunity to connect with more people and make more friendships.”
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Chase said he has big plans for the future of Project Empathy, adding:
“My hope for the future is to spread more connection around our wonderful country. I started this in Salt Lake City, Utah, and I feel that I just want everybody in that county to just try it once. And my big dream is for everyone in this country to just try it once.”
Chase’s father, John Hansen, is very proud of his son. He told GMA that “ever since Chase was little, he just wanted to make a difference, I’m so proud of him. He’s my hero.”
