Finding Solutions: Veterans’ Villa helping those who served
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - We first told you about the Avery House in 2018 when one woman made it her mission to purchase an Augusta home and turn it into transitional housing for veterans.
She’s now changed the name to the Veterans’ Villa and is finding solutions in helping men and women who served our country get back on their feet.
Development Director of Veterans’ Villa, Arlean Williams, came to Augusta from New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.
Since being here, she’s made it her mission to help veterans in need by purchasing a home on D’Antignac Street.
“The house will house and service 10 veterans,” said Williams. “We will provide wrap-around services. It’s a 90-day program, but we will not force you out if we haven’t connected you to all your resources in that 90 days.”
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The home was built in 1896 and purchased from Thelma Avery, giving it the name Avery House.
Williams says they started renovations in 2019.
“When we started taking down paint and moving wood, I was like, I don’t know, I think I got a money pit, but then I started seeing the good bones and could feel the history in the house, and it was important for me to preserve that.”
Williams says the project has been a community effort. The Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association has held fundraisers the last couple of years in of the project.
“We’re all about service, and service doesn’t stop when you come out of uniform,” said Donald Hanson, Augusta chapter commander for Combat Veterans Motorcycle. “At the same time, we don’t forget our brothers and sisters, and there are so many people that have raised their right hand and have become homeless or down on dire straits, so this is just a way for the community to those men and women.”
Hanson says their next fundraiser will be in June. The Dirty Birdie is similar to a poker run, and all funds go toward finishing renovations.
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“Since we’re augusta, we do putting so we have putting greens at each stop and it will start here at the Veterans’ Villa and will end in Thomson, but there will be multiple stops.”
Williams says she’s hoping to have the home finished sooner rather than later.
“30 to 60 days,” said Williams. “I’m pushing because every day we can’t get a veteran off the street, they’re losing their lives and it should never happen to anybody especially our veterans.”
Williams has received a lot of donations from local companies like an AC unit, windows, siding and drywall. We’re told they’re in need of someone to finish the drywall.
As far as the name change – a room will be named after Ms. Avery instead.
You can visit the Avery House Facebook page here.
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