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AUGUSTA, Ga. ()– Tracy and Chris Showman have introduced a service to Augusta aimed at restoring dignity and hope for individuals experiencing homelessness.
Tracy, a speech therapist by profession, dedicates her free time to serving others. She co-founded Project Refresh, a mobile shower unit initiative, but insists the credit belongs to the entire team. Her humility shines through as she receives the Giving Your Best award.
The inspiration for this initiative was sparked by a conversation with a friend.
“Jill Kozlowski approached us one day with an idea,” Tracy recalls. “She said, ‘I’ve researched this—other cities have mobile shower units, but Augusta doesn’t. We should start one. Let’s pray about it.'”
However, as Tracy points out, bringing this idea to life required more than just prayers—it needed financial support!
“A lot of family support, churches, just being able to kind of piggyback off other organizations that believed in what we were doing, and they would help us get the word out.”
And in July of 2020 Project Refresh was born. The first shower was taken 18 months later.
“February of 2022. was so cold that day. But there were guests that took a chance on us, and we got to meet these people face to face and help them. And that was the most rewarding part. It’s not one of those, ‘Oh my gosh that’s what I’ve got to do today’… it’s “That’s what I get to do today.’ It does take a lot of time, but it’s so worth it. I think that we have the unique opportunity to serve people who are overlooked, often not given the time of day. Sometimes they just want to talk. They may not want to shower. They just wanna come and sit and talk to us. And we continue to build relationships with them and others in the community, other guests, other partners, just because we feel like this is what we are supposed to do.”
Tracy and her husband, Chris Showman, were both honored with the Giving Your Best award. Kimberlee Bugher, another team member at Project Refresh, describes Chris as someone who loves very hard.
“He wants everything to be perfect for all of our guests. He wants everything to be just right. Tracy and Chris are always there. And I think that’s a big part of, you know, they’re behind the scenes a lot. Um, but that doesn’t matter to them. They’re there to serve.”
And Tracy has this advice for anyone who has an idea to bring about change.
“Don’t let it go. Just keep praying about it, and pushing forward, get support from your family and friends, and just keep moving forward.”
Do you know someone who deserves the Giving Your Best award? Nominate them here.
