Finding Solutions: Shelters aim to keep people out of cold
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - Snow may be gone, but the cold weather is still lingering causing many people to look for a place to stay warm.
Our local overnight shelters work hard 365 days a year, and the winter weather certainly elevated that.
They’re finding solutions in how they can help keep people off the streets.
Snow is something we haven’t seen in more than a decade and while many of us got out to enjoy it, others were looking to get out of it.
The Augusta Rescue Mission has seen an influx of people coming to stay in their overnight shelter.
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“Many are even lining up at times to get in sooner because it is pretty cold outside,” said Executive Director Chris Jones.
Jones says they have been about two-thirds full each night.
He says they offer a number of resources outside of just shelter.
“We believe in total life transformation. So, we believe in life skills, Christian discipleship, and just job training. We want to touch every aspect of a person’s life. We don’t the outcome of most of these men, but we do know they are getting what they need when they are here,” said Jones.
Jones says something that’s of high use right now is their laundry room.
“The laundry room has been open for over a year and at first we were open two days a week, with one or two appointments a day, but since Hurricane Helene we’ve been open five days a week and we’re booked up a week or two in advance,” said Jones.
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Garden City Rescue Mission is also an overnight shelter for men.
They say they’re seeing new faces daily for those taking advantage of their warming shelter.
The executive director says they always need clothes for both men and women.
As for Jones, he says there’s always a need at the shelter for those looking to their mission.
“We provide shelter 365 days a year. So, we are constantly in need of toiletries, socks, flip flops, underwear for men, but right now during the winter season we are in need of jackets, walking shoes for a lot of the guests,” he said.
He says to anyone in need, they are open.
“We want people off the streets. Safety is extremely important for us. Here at the Augusta Rescue Mission, you are not only going to find shelter but hope and possibly some development skills, we would love to help with that as well,” said Jones.
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