Bridges From Augusta was created out of community need because our community had no resources for burn survivors. I know because I was once in need of resources for myself and had nowhere to turn as I began my post-burn transition. The nearest place for services for burn patients is the Joseph M. Still Burn Center of Doctors Hospital in Augusta, GA, so through divine intervention and a career redirection, Bridges From Augusta was born to address the need closer to home.
Bridges from Augusta began as a graduate school project focused on the clinical problem of discharge planning and community integration for burn survivors. This clinical problem has literally come off the pages to life with the creation of Bridges from Augusta. To date, we have served over 50 families and 150 people. Those numbers may seem small, but if you were one of those burn survivors looking for help, your outlook would be different.
Bridges From Augusta is a non profit organization serving burn survivors in the Upstate of South Carolina (Anderson, Greenville, Spartanburg, Pickens, Oconee, and Greenwood). Our mission is to assist individuals and families who have experienced burn injuries and trauma by providing education, empowerment and support while building community alliances.
Our support network increases as we travel and present the needs of the burn community while educating on burn prevention and home safety. We take great pride in working with First Responders and educating people about fire service and prevention. Each February we hold a First Responders Sweetheart Gala to honor those brave fire and rescue workers who help to keep us safe throughout the year. The proceeds for this event go to direct services for burn survivors and their families and burn prevention safety education.
For more information, visit www.bridgesfromaugusta.org.