Salvation Army Plans New Augusta Shelter to Replace 50-Year-Old Building
The Augusta branch of the Salvation Army will build a new Center of Hope shelter on Hale Street, replacing their worn-out Greene Street building. The first step starts as crews clean and prep an…
SAN FRANCISCO – DECEMBER 19: Two year-old Vanessa Rivas picks out toys with a Salvation Army volunteer during a food and toy giveaway to families in need December 19, 2008 at the Salvation Army in San Francisco, California. As the economy continues to slump, charitable organizations are seeing a spike of families in need. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
The Augusta branch of the Salvation Army will build a new Center of Hope shelter on Hale Street, replacing their worn-out Greene Street building. The first step starts as crews clean and prep an unused structure at the future site.
"We're excited about these early steps and moving forward and trying to better serve those in our area who are in need," said Major Jonathan Raymer, with the Salvation Army, to WRDW.
The existing site wasn't built as a homeless shelter. Staff made changes through the decades to turn it into temporary housing. The building's layout creates roadblocks for workers trying to assist guests.
Most guests now seeking help are women with children. "So often when we view homelessness, we think of men, but the reality is we have more women and children in the Center of Hope than men, so being able to address that better is an important piece of this," Raymer said.
The upcoming structure will split living spaces between men and women. Medical stations and support centers will fill new wings of the building.
The team hasn't set an opening date since plans are still taking shape. The public can support this work through donations on the Salvation Army's website.
