Homeless in Augusta

The homeless population are regulars on the streets and in the churches in Augusta. Many are out there due to mental illness. Many have trouble with alcohol and/or drugs. Many have a litany of hardships and challenges, some self inflicted issues though many just can't seem to get their lives together. All have a story. And, as is true in most communities, our homeless neighbors are a mix of those who consistently stay in shelters, some who sleep out on the streets or have a self made home in some location, and many others who will never be found in a shelter but who stay with family or friends and drift from place to place.

A recent article in the Augusta Chronicle said:

"The latest count of Augusta's homeless population shows a slight increase from last year, but those who made the census say the tally could be low because it was taken during a warm night."

"I bet you if we did this last night when it was freezing cold it would have been a different number," said Lynda Suarez, the research chairwoman for the Augusta Continuum of Care, a local data-gathering committee involved in the effort. "

"It was relatively comfortable (the night of the count), and when that happens there are homeless people you can't find," she said Friday.

"This year's count, which took place in late January, focused on a single night at shelters and soup kitchens. It documented 551 homeless, six more than a year ago. Last year's count was conducted in colder weather, Ms. Suarez said."

AUGUSTA'S HOMELESS BY THE NUMBERS*
379
Men
88
Children
84
Women
551
Total
OTHER CATEGORIES
Mentally ill with one diagnosed illness: 77
Medical disability: 39
Domestic violence victims: 34
Chronically homeless: 142 (134 men, 8 women)
Those not sheltered (in a tent, car or on a sidewalk): 48
Substance abuse: 165
Veterans: 91
Dually diagnosed with two mental illnesses: 64
Source: Lynda Suarez, the research chairwoman for the Augusta Continuum of Care, a local data-gathering committee

full story @ http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2009/02/07/met_510570.shtml

Millard Fuller

“Millard would not want people to mourn his death,” Linda said. “He would be more interested in having people put on a tool belt and build a house for people in need.”

We hosted Millard Fuller at Trinity on the Hill & ASU a year ago. The co-founder of Habitat for Humanity & the Fuller Center for Housing died Monday. His life was transformed by practical life application of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and by characters such as Clarence Jordan of Konoinia Farms who in similar ways tried to express a social holiness for the world today.

"Millard was buried humbly on Pine Hill at Koinonia Farm on February 4 at 11 a.m. Millard wished to be buried in the same manner as his spiritual mentor and friend Clarence Jordan, Koinonia’s founder. Like Clarence, Millard was laid to rest in a simple box and has no specific marker for his grave."

http://fullercenter.org/

Housing Ministry

Read about a congregation in TN that started a housing ministry:

http://www.umc.org/site/apps/nlnet/content3.aspx?c=lwL4KnN1LtH&b=2433457&ct=5675955

Old Things Become New