New program seeks out homeless

United Way of the CSRA is helping Augusta's homeless by taking resources to them.

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Nikasha Dicks/Staff

Michael Glover fills out an information form given to him by a 2-1-1 on the Go representative at the Garden City Rescue Mission.

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Nikasha Dicks/Staff

Michael Glover fills out an information form given to him by a 2-1-1 on the Go representative at the Garden City Rescue Mission.

The organization started a pilot program this month called 2-1-1 on the Go, which is modeled after its existing 2-1-1 program, said Nancy Szocinski, the 2-1-1 coordinator.

"It's a free, confidential, 24/7/365 information and referral service that is provided by the United Way," she said. "When people need help in an emergency, they call 911, but when they need help with health and social service needs, they can call 211."

The goal of 2-1-1 on the Go is to provide homeless clients at shelters with the tools they need to "get back on their feet," she said. The pilot program is being funded through a grant from the Georgia Department of Community Affairs.

To provide information, 2-1-1 on the Go representatives meet with homeless people at Garden City Rescue Mission and the Augusta Rescue Mission. The shelters identify those they believe could benefit for the program, she said.

"The process involves an interview with the homeless client and a packet of information that has to be filled out to meet the requirements of the grant. Then that client's information, with their authorization, is entered into a homeless information system that many of the nonprofits, health and human service agencies, use to keep track of the services that are being provided."

During the 20- to 30-minute session, a representative also discusses the information the client is being provided and answers any questions, she said.

Each of the clients receives a backpack that includes a list of job placement resources, housing assessment and search assistance information, a Helping Hands pamphlet, a prescription discount card, a 2-1-1 information card, toiletries and 10 transfer bus tickets.

The bus tickets have been a big help for most, she said.

"A bus ticket for some is all that stands between them and a job, or getting to the Social Security office to file a claim or possibly getting to a doctor appointment," she said.

Lavond Reynolds, men's director at Garden City Rescue Mission, agreed.

"There is a lot of potential for this program, and we've already seen the fruits from this program," he said. "Some of the men that have been helped have already been able to get employed. The only thing that stood in their way before was transportation. For some, a bus ticket may not seem like much, but to someone else it could open up the door to many opportunities."

The program has assisted 20 homeless clients. A total of 50 will be helped by the end of February, when the pilot program is scheduled to end, Ms. Szocinski said.

"We're so excited to have the opportunity to do this," she said. "It strengthens the relationship that we have with those that provide services for the homeless, and that relationship building ensures future collaboration opportunities to provide more services for the people most in need in the community."

Reach Nikasha Dicks at (706) 823-3336 or nikasha.dicks@augustachronicle.com.