Augusta, GA

Homeless ‘point in time’ survey is counting on your help

Published

2 years ago

January 11, 2024

Homeless ‘point in time’ survey is counting on your help

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – This year, there is more need than ever to help those who experience homelessness.

It’s cold outside, the winds are brutal on any given day, and if you stand out there long enough, your hands and toes begin to lose circulation.

Imagine living this day in and day out.

Every year on the last 10 days of January, communities conduct a count of the homeless.

This year, the “point-in-time” count will be Jan. 22-31 in Augusta.

In 2022, Augusta found 576 people experiencing homelessness. In 2023, the count grew to 643.

“Our homeless point in time is our annual count of our sheltered and unsheltered individuals here in our community,” said Tammy Ruth, homeless coordinator for Augusta Housing Community Development.

It’s not just a time to count the homeless but also an opportunity along with at least 15 shelters and pop-up shelters to provide resources to the homeless.

The face of homelessness is changing.

“Homelessness looks like you and me. It looks like the child sitting next to your child in school. It looks like the doctor that may be providing care for you. It could be your attorney. It could be the person serving you at McDonald’s or Chick-fil-A, we never know who is experiencing homelessness,” said Bethany Trapp, program coordinator for Marion Barnes Assessment and Referral Center for the Homeless.

They are expecting numbers to grow even higher this year.

“They’re at least double that are experiencing homelessness in Augusta. We want to try and make sure that we encapsulate all of that during this count so that we get a true number. Homelessness is fluid. There’s a lot of times where we may not find them in encampments,” said Trapp.

This year, there are more shelters than ever, and the call has gone out for community assistance with the count and with putting together survival kits.

Close to 150 volunteers are needed to pull this off.

“We are currently sitting at around 104 volunteers. We would love to see about 40 or 50 more, just to make sure that we have all of that coverage,” said Trapp.

MORE FROM NEWS 12:

Golden Harvest Food Bank opens new center, seeks more volunteers
Salvation Army of Augusta surpasses Red Kettle campaign goal

Both day and night volunteers are needed, and they’ll need to attend a training session.

Donation needs include toiletries, sleeping bags, dry foods and canned foods.

Ruth said: “We have a task for any community member that has a desire to help and make a meaningful impact in their community.”

LaDonna Doleman, manager at the Master’s Table soup kitchen, says every little bit counts to save and change a life.

“Everyone counts. Every meal counts. Every volunteer counts. Every guest counts. Every family, every meal counts, and we are changing lives every day,” said Doleman.

Trapp explained why it’s rewarding to volunteer: “Most of all, it is a way for those who care about homelessness to get involved and make a difference in their local community.”

To volunteer, visit https://forms.gle/3gkmS2FQhAQYM5wi8.

THE SCHEDULE:

FACES OF HOMELESSNESS IN AUGUSTA:

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Augusta, GA

FBI agents identify chemical used in Georgia acid attack

Published

3 hours ago

January 12, 2026

Press Room

FBI agents identify chemical used in Georgia acid attack

SAVANNAH, Ga. — The FBI agents have confirmed that they’ve identified the chemical used in a Georgia acid attack.

Just last month, Ashley Wasielewski was walking around Forsyth Park in Savannah when a man hiding in the shadows near Whitaker Street suddenly came out and attacked Wasielewski with an unknown chemical substance.

Despite the hardship she’s been through and that lies ahead, Ashley Wasielewski is smiling in a photo from her hospital bed.(Contributed)

Sources close to the investigation say that liquid melted through Wasielewski’s clothing and headphones and left her with severe burns.

On Friday, the FBI released that they now know what that substance was but are not releasing the name of the substance to the public at this time.

FBI officials say that SLED assisted and did the testing on behalf of the the organization.

Agents are also following up on leads now that the substance has been identified.

Just days after the attack, more than $260,000 had been raised for Wasielewski, who was recovering at a burn center in Augusta.

One of Ashley’s friends, Kristen Oddi organized a GoFundMe to help pay for Wasielewski’s extensive medical care.

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Augusta, GA

Another name joins Augusta mayor race

Published

15 hours ago

January 11, 2026

Press Room

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Augusta mayor race now has three candidates as another person has announced their candidacy.

Eric Gaines, who’s on the charter review committee and is a local real estate investor, announced on Sunday that he is running for mayor on Sunday.

He said in a Facebook post that his campaign is built on a simple idea: People before politics.

Transparent leadership you do not have to decode.
Accessible government that listens instead of lectures.
Decisions based on what actually improves lives not what protects careers.

“I’m not running because someone tapped me on the shoulder. I’m not running because a political machine told me it was my turn. And I’m definitely not running because I raised a mountain of cash behind closed doors,” he said.

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Augusta, GA

Georgia Lt. Gov candidate Rep. David Clark visits Augusta

Published

1 day ago

January 11, 2026

Press Room

Georgia Lt. Gov candidate Rep. David Clark visits Augusta

Georgia Lt. Gov candidate state Rep. David Clark made a stop in Augusta Saturday. He says that some of his priorities if he wins include expanding school choice, eliminating the state income and property taxes, and reaching out to younger voters.

Clark is also an Army veteran, who served overseas. He hopes to represent all Georgians.

“Before politics and parties we’re Americans, we’re Georgians. That’s the biggest thing. People want someone who stands up and listens to people,” said Clark.

“I’m not saying we’re always going to agree, but in the end—we’re the American family, we’re the Georgian family.”

The Georgia primary will take place on May 19th, and the general election will be on November 3rd.

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