WARNER ROBINS, Ga. — The City of Warner Robins does not have a set plan for their homeless population for the upcoming winter weather, Mayor LaRhonda Patrick said.
"There is not a set plan in place for sheltering of the homeless during the coldest nights, right now," she told 13WMAZ in her office Tuesday.
Now, they're asking for the community to collaborate in assisting the city's homeless
"They just don't have anywhere to sleep when it's less than 30 degrees outside," Mandy Hazelton said. "What are we doing? How are we helping our community?"
Taking care of others is near and dear to Hazelton's heart.
As president of Genesis Joy House, she strives to ensure her non-profit supports the unhoused female veterans in her care.
"However, it's not easy being a non-profit organization," Hazelton said. "You have to raise your own funds, you have to figure out a way to even have that cause supported."
But, they make it work.
"The fact that Genesis Joy House is already at max capacity, that tells us there is a need for the support," Hazelton said.
Mayor Patrick says she's been trying to improve the city's supportive initiatives for the homeless population, but delays are setting them back from succeeding.
The city of Warner Robins previously told 13WMAZ about its plan for the homeless in the upcoming winter months.
They said their initial plan to have the city-owned shelter up by winter wasn't possible, partly because the building required more renovation than they initially anticipated.
Instead of the shelter this winter, the city said, they would be partnering with The Table First Christian Church to ensure the unhoused population has a place to stay during cold nights.
However, according to Pastor Jordan Williams, they are unable to accommodate the warming center services. They've provided this service in previous years, but due to their own non-profit's limitations, they can't do it.
They say they don't have the available volunteers and have faced financial setbacks.
Moreover, the pastor said they are still continuing their partnership with the city and supporting their homeless initiative's goals even if it is in different forms.
"We're gonna have to do as we've done before the Table Warming Center ever existed," Mayor Patrick said. "They'll be sleeping out on the streets with nowhere to go, and that's really what we're hoping to prevent."
If your business and/or organization is interested in collaborating with the City of Warner Robins' homeless initiative, you can reach out to Code Enforcement Officer Brian Wise at 478-538-5115 or bwise@wrga.gov.
Mayor Patrick says community members can also drop off donations, such as blankets and canned goods, at City Hall.