The City of Waynesboro today announced the launch of ONE Waynesboro: Opportunity. Navigation. Empowerment., a collaborative program designed to deliver high-impact wrap-around services focused on housing stability and food security for city residents.
With a $100,000 allocation from the newly created Waynesboro Community Vitality Fund, the initiative brings together five local nonprofit partners to address immediate needs while fostering long-term resilience.
ONE Waynesboro builds on a continuum of support, combining emergency crisis interventions with whole-family case management. This approach ensures families and individuals are not only stabilized in the moment but also supported in achieving lasting economic security. The program leverages existing agency capacities to maximize resources and reduce service duplication.
“ONE Waynesboro represents our commitment to empowering residents with the tools and support they need to stabilize, survive, and thrive,” said Terry R. Short, Jr., Waynesboro City Council member and liaison for the initiative. “By partnering with trusted local organizations, we’re filling critical gaps left by evolving changes in state and federal funding, serving as a hand up for individuals and families during their most challenging of times.”
Key program components include:
- Home Repairs and Safety Improvements: Renewing Homes of Greater Augusta will expand eligibility to serve more working families, completing approximately 10-12 projects to keep homes safe, livable, and energy-efficient.
“This funding from the City of Waynesboro is a game-changer for our ability to truly meet the needs of vulnerable homeowners in our community who are unable to afford home-repair costs. We’ve encountered too many situations where a family desperately needs a new roof, electrical system upgrades, or foundation repairs — work that simply can’t be done by volunteers. This program allows us to bridge that critical gap and ensure that no homeowner falls through the cracks.”, said Renewing Homes Executive Director Sharon Coplai
- Rental and Utility Assistance: HERO will provide direct support to about 60-70 households, preventing evictions and utility shutoffs while connecting families to longer-term resources.
“Every day we hear from Waynesboro residents who are struggling to make ends meet and turn to us because they’ve run out of options. We’re grateful to be able to help them and grateful to the City of Waynesboro for its support.”, said HERO’s Sarah Mendonca
- Food and Stabilization Services: River City Bread Basket/LIFEworks will distribute groceries to at least 400 households and offer mini-grants for employment and training supports, such as gas cards and childcare assistance.
“The LIFEworks Project is happy to come alongside other organizations responding to the need for uplift in the City of Waynesboro. We appreciate the residents and City Council for addressing gaps in services where they exist and providing support for better outcomes for our neighbors.”, said AJ Young, director of outreach for LIFEworks.
- Whole-Family Case Management: Embrace Waynesboro will serve as the coordination hub, offering intake, referral tracking, and ongoing support through office hours at the Waynesboro Library and River City Bread Basket.
“We know that our community already has everything it needs for all of its members to thrive,” said Embrace Waynesboro Executive Director Jenelle Watson, “but by bringing those resources together in a way that allows us to wisely use them to fill the deepest gaps we can maximize those resources to create a much stronger, more just, and resilient community for all.”
- Emergency Shelter: WARM will enhance staffing for cold-weather operations and year-round shelter for women and children, ensuring safe havens during harsh weather.
Facilitated in cooperation with the Community Action Partnership of Staunton, Augusta, and Waynesboro (CAPSAW), the program emphasizes accountability through regular partner meetings, shared tracking tools, and performance metrics. These include individuals served, dollars distributed, completed referrals, and resiliency outcomes. A comprehensive impact report will be submitted to the City Council in May 2026.
By investing locally, ONE Waynesboro can provide community support in crises, strengthens community partnerships, and positions Waynesboro for sustainable resident support. Eligibility is open to Waynesboro residents meeting partner-specific economic criteria, with a focus on those most in need. The program runs from November 2025 through June 2026.
For more information, ways to volunteer, or to access services, residents can contact Embrace Waynesboro at 540-324-7006 or [email protected].