AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – A new outreach effort aims to bring water and cooling relief directly to people living outside in Augusta, where organizers say traditional cooling centers are not always accessible.

GAP Ministries is partnering with the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office Homeless Outreach Team and collaborators to deliver water to people in areas where officers say they already know many unhoused residents stay, including back roads and behind shopping centers.

Nomi Stanton, executive director of GAP Ministries, said the effort is intended to continue beyond the short term.

“So this isn’t just a, this is we’re going to do this for a couple of weeks. That is not, this I hope the wheels will be in motion for years and years,” Stanton said.

Effort follows recent death

Organizers said the effort was launched in response to the death of Brandon Clark.

Stanton said Clark died about two weeks ago, and while she said it is not known whether heat stroke was the cause, the death prompted the group to push for a community solution.

“With the passing of Brandon 2 weeks ago, while we don’t know it was heat stroke, it was a good kick to circle back around and say, man, we have to have a solution,” Stanton said.

Sheriff’s office says goal is connection

Maj. Robbie Silas, who oversees the sheriff’s office Homeless Outreach Team, said the outreach is meant to build relationships, not enforcement.

“We want to build a good relationship with them. We want them to know that we’re here for them,” Silas said. “We’re not here just to run their names to see if they have warrants and stuff like that. We want to put them back with their families first.”

Organizers said they hope the outreach helps people in Augusta’s unhoused community stay hydrated during the heat.

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Employees with disabilities at the Augusta Training Shop are creating patriotic art as part of a holiday project that drew community members to the nonprofit.

The theme of the event was “Red, White, and Create,” which the script describes as a simple holiday art project focused on inclusion and community.

Eli Sikes, a student at Augusta Technical College, was among the Augusta Tech students who came to the shop to create, take part in the event and give back.

“It feels really good,” Sikes said. “I feel like it’s important to go out in your community and get to know some people you may not have met in your everyday life.”

Sikes said the training shop gives people a place to showcase their talents and skills for others in the community to appreciate.

The Augusta Training Shop is a nonprofit that, for decades, has provided a place where people with disabilities find meaningful work, creative expression and community, according to the script.

Employee Greg Solden said he makes “decoupage balls” and uses papier-mâché on them.

“I love having people here and trying to encourage them,” Solden said.

Liam Welch, a board member with the Augusta Training Shop, said he has watched the organization grow over the years, including moving locations.

“The training shop has grown every single year since I was a young boy coming here,” Welch said.

The Augusta Training Shop is located on Jenkins Street. The shop has a variety of July Fourth art available for purchase, and the script notes that buying crafts from the shop supports jobs for employees.