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ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) - Communities across Georgia are seeing some of the highest needs going into the holidays, as nearly 6,000 people are unsheltered according to the 2022 Georgia Department of Community Affairs reports.

The most recent point-in-time count found 144 people experiencing homelessness in Dougherty County, among those counted were veterans, children, and chronically homeless individuals, making it not just a numbers story but one about people with layered needs, especially during the cold months and holidays.

17 years ago, Kenneth Bevel moved to Albany where he began attending Sherwood Baptist Church. He grew up in Jacksonville, Florida his whole youth.

“From ages 0 to 17 I’ve seen this, I’ve lived this so my heart is poured out for and I don’t just call them people but they’re our neighbors,” Bevel said.

Now, he serves as Sherwood Local Missions and Connections Pastor, as they help over 30 individuals a day at the Hope Center on Pine Avenue. Connecting the homeless population with food, clothing, and other resources.

“The mission came from just seeing the basic need in our community. Where men and women are struggling and how we as the body of Christ and a church can come alongside them and help them. So there are a number of ways that we can help them,” Bevel said.

Through partnerships with Feeding the Valley and Flint River Fresh, the Hope Center can provide food daily and operate special missions during the holidays. But another critical thing they help with is getting those who need it a drivers license.

He said, “Critical documentation a lot of people in Southwest Georgia, that’s in our homeless population don’t have that and we want to be able to help our neighbors and love our neighbors in that way.”

And the love continues by providing spiritual support to all groups in the community, walking through difficult times.

“To be able to love them and help them in a way that benefits them, get them to the level of self-sufficiency is what we really want to do and love people through the gospel of Jesus Christ , that’s our desire,” Bevel says.

Ending homelessness is a community effort...How can you help? By volunteering, donating, or partnering with initiatives like these to help make a difference in the lives of families right here in Dougherty County.

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