Organizations partner to bring water to Augusta’s unhoused community

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.