Augusta, GA

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

Published

1 year 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

AugustaCon returns to new location in Columbia County

Published

2 hours ago

January 11, 2025

Press Room

AugustaCon returns to new location in Columbia County

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – AugustaCon was back, but in a new home this time.

Saturday’s event was held in Columbia County at the Performing Arts Center.

The event holds video game tournaments and hosts vendors that had anime and video game-style items.

We spoke to one of the vendors, who helped run the video game tournament there.

“We really love it. It’s a great environment. We love seeing new gamers, collectors, anyone that likes anime,” said Cedric Bacon.

If you missed out on Saturday’s AugustaCon, there are ones usually in the summer and winter as well.

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Augusta, GA

Store employee fatally shot in Augusta robbery; suspect arrested

Published

10 hours ago

January 11, 2025

Press Room

Store employee fatally shot in Augusta robbery; suspect arrested

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – One person was fatally shot in an armed robbery on Lumpkin Road, according to authorities, and a suspect has been arrested.

The victim was identified as 29-year-old Abdallah Rubeha of Augusta.

The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office said the incident happened at the Smoke Shop at 2303 Lumpkin Road around 9:30 p.m. Friday.

Deputies say they arrived to find Rubeha, an employee, had been shot at least once.

He was taken to Wellstar MCG Hospital, where he died at 7:35 a.m. Saturday, according to Richmond County Coroner Mark Bowen.

After the robbery, deputies were able to identify three suspects and their vehicle.

The vehicle was registered in Burke County, and Richmond County deputies reached out to the Burke County Sheriff’s Office with the information, according to officials.

Burke County deputies say they attempted a traffic stop at 11:25 p.m. Friday at Savannah Avenue and East 17th Street in Waynesboro.

Deputies in Burke County pursued the vehicle in a high-speed chase, which turned into a foot pursuit, officials say.

The driver, 22-year-old Terrance Walker, was arrested and charged with felony aggravated assault, armed robbery, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime in Richmond County.

One person was arrested in connection to armed robbery and homicide on Lumpkin Rd.(WRDW)

According to Burke County deputies, another person was in the passenger’s seat and is believed to be connected to the robbery.

Burke County deputies say they also found a black Taurus G2C 9 mm handgun believed to have been stolen during the armed robbery.

Walker faces additional charges in Richmond and Burke counties, including driving under the influence, according to jail bookings.

An autopsy has been scheduled for Rubeha.

The year is off to a deadly start in Augusta; this is already the third homicide of 2025.

The slayings come amid a nearly three-year outbreak of violent crime that’s claimed around 200 lives.

Communities large and small have been affected on both sides of the Savannah River, but as the region’s largest city, Augusta has been hit hard.

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Augusta, GA

Crosstown showdown rescheduled: Augusta and USC-Aiken to play Sunday

Published

22 hours ago

January 11, 2025

Press Room

Crosstown showdown rescheduled: Augusta and USC-Aiken to play Sunday

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The basketball doubleheader featuring both Augusta University and University of South Carolina Aiken has been moved to Sunday.

The two were originally slated to play on Saturday afternoon.

The women’s game will tipoff at 1:30 p.m., and the men’s will follow at 3:30 p.m in the USC Aiken Convocation Center.

Both the Pacers and Jags men’s team last played on Feb. 10 2024.

AU climbed to a 5-point lead in the final period, winning 98-93.

Prior to their last meeting, USC Aiken had a four-game win streak over the Jags.

Sunday will mark the 89th meeting between the two programs.

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