09/03/2026
Meet Jeff. His story has come full circle—but the road here was anything but easy.
After a car accident, Jeff struggled to get back on his feet. He lost his stability, left Atlanta and experienced homelessness for nearly a year. His journey eventually brought him to Augusta, where he stayed at Augusta Rescue Mission, Garden City Rescue Mission and The Salvation Army Center of Hope. There was no single moment when everything suddenly became okay.
Rebuilding took time. Eventually, Jeff secured a home and found steady work at Mellow Mushroom downtown. But he didn’t leave the shelter behind. Several times a week, Jeff returned to volunteer in the Soup Kitchen. He often used his employee discount to buy pizza and other food to share with clients and staff. He knew what it meant to need a meal, a safe place and someone who cared. When he was finally in a position to give something back, he did.
Today, Jeff is no longer walking into the Center of Hope as a client—or even just as a volunteer. He has officially joined our kitchen staff as a Cook Assistant. Jeff is a member of Curtis Baptist Church and Kroc Church, and he gives the glory to God for carrying him through homelessness and helping him rebuild a stable life. His journey wasn’t quick or easy. But today, Jeff stands on the other side of the kitchen counter, serving people who are walking through some of the same difficult days he once faced.
Your support helps provide meals, shelter and a path toward stability for people like Jeff. Help make more full-circle stories possible at salvationarmyaugusta.org.
