Augusta, GA

Child Enrichment sees more children than ever; here’s how you can help

Published

1 year ago

October 21, 2023

Child Enrichment sees more children than ever; here’s how you can help

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – A new Child Enrichment location is open in Augusta, giving kids in the area another resource for help.

The program helps children who’ve experienced abuse and sex trafficking.

It’s an issue that impacts children and their families every day.

Leaders there say it’s a bigger problem than you might think.

“Richmond County has the highest number of child sex trafficking cases in the state of Georgia. So that’s higher than Fulton and DeKalb,” said Child Enrichment Executive Director, Kari Viola-Brooke.

As they celebrate the opening of this new facility, the need is even greater.

Over the past few years, they’ve gone from seeing 600 children a year to now seeing 1,200.

“I think kids have always been abused at that number. I think they just weren’t getting the help they needed. And for the first time, they are,” she said.

For them, it just means there’s more work to do, and more families to help heal from trauma.

Augusta Child Advocacy Center Director, Katie Crockett, said: “That healing piece is so meaningful when you see it. It takes the power back for that kid and they’re able to speak freely about it and just be like, this happened to me. But also, I know, like, the future is better and like, this is a chapter of my life, but not the whole story.”

With 40 to 50 children walking through their doors every month, they’re hoping the success stories from families and help from the community will put a dent in the child abuse and sex trafficking numbers.

“We want to go out of business. We don’t want kids to need our services. But in order for that to happen, we need people to step up, educate themselves, bring awareness to these things,” said Viola-Brooke.

They’re hoping this new building will help them do exactly that.

If you’d like to learn more about Child Enrichment or volunteer, click HERE.

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Augusta, GA

Tree giveaway helps Augusta get back to normal after Helene

Published

9 hours ago

January 12, 2025

Press Room

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – It’s been more than 100 days since Hurricane Helene came through our area.

Now, those in the CSRA are still cleaning up the aftermath.

On Saturday, Rooting for Augusta helped the area get back to normal.

“Every once in a while, we have a horrific event that unites us all, and we certainly had it with the storm. Everybody can agree that it’s a good thing to plant trees back in the right spots,” said Dennis Trotter with Rooting for Augusta.

Rooting for Augusta gave away 700 trees as part of the event.

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Augusta, GA

New Richmond County sheriff promotes deputies, other employees

Published

20 hours ago

January 12, 2025

Press Room

New Richmond County sheriff promotes deputies, other employees

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – After swearing in 100 new deputies at the beginning of his tenure, Richmond County Sheriff Eugene Brantley also addressed promotions and appointments for those in the sheriff’s office.

It happened on Friday before the winter weather got underway and impacted the region.

Brantley spoke with us after about why the new promotions, appointments and people in the sheriff’s office will benefit the community.

“For the most part, when you’re suffering from a shortage of staff like we have been and so many other agencies in the state of Georgia and around the country, I think it is a boost in the arm to onboard 100 people to help get things that we need slow down crime and stop what is plaguing our community,” said Brantley.

Brantley said it was the first step to making the community safer.

He says he has been working on improving the jail as well.

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