The City of Augusta’s inaugural resource fair brought together government departments, non-profit organizations and community partners to connect with the city’s homeless population.
The Feb. 11 resource fair was sponsored by the Augusta Housing and Community Development department.
“It’s principally an effort to push out additional vaccines, flu vaccines and COVID-19 vaccines as well as health screenings,” said Daniel Evans, Planning Development Supervisor from the department. “But it’s also an information and awareness raising event for them to be able to speak with some staff from our nonprofit providers know what services are available to them, to help them on their journey.”
The vaccinations were provided by Medical Associates Plus.
“As a federally qualified health care center, it is part of our mission, to go out in the community, allow ourselves to be accessible for health care, and to make sure that it’s affordable,” said Lashanda Johnson, Community Outreach Manager. “What we’re hoping is for a good turnout, so that we can continue to keep our community safe, especially those who are most vulnerable to the COVID-19.”
Under tents set up outside of the Salvation Army’s Center of Hope, homeless women and men, including Ron Gibbs, could meet with staff and volunteers from agencies and organizations ranging from Golden Harvest Food Bank to Compass for Hope.
“I stay at the Salvation Army, trying to get an apartment to take care of my kids. But my kids, they’re mad at me. So, I’m trying to do the right thing,” Gibbs said.
ForcesUnited was on hand to address the special needs of homeless veterans.
“We are here to help the community find for veterans to find housing, employment resources that they so rightly need. So that’s our goal at ForcesUnited, to connect every veteran with every benefit that they are entitled to for serving their country,” said Lindsay Sanchez.
The majority of the booths handed out comfort kits with personal hygiene products, warm clothing and information on where to apply for services.
Also on hand were the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Georgia Department of Public Health.
Dana Lynn McIntyre is a general assignment reporter for The Augusta Press. Reach her at dana@theaugustapress.com
