AI-generated illustration; not a photograph of the reported event.
- calendar_today October 14, 2026
Ribbon Cutting Marks New Chapter for Foster Care Youth
Bridge Builder Communities (BBC) has officially opened a new tiny homes community in Augusta, Georgia, designed to support young adults aging out of the foster care system. Years of planning and collaboration culminated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by more than 300 community members, leaders, and supporters.
Addressing the Needs of Youth Aging Out of Foster Care
The new development was founded to help foster care youth between the ages of 18 and 25 who face the risk of homelessness after leaving state care. Jackson Drumgoole, Co-Founder and CEO of BBC, was inspired to create the community after witnessing family members struggle within the foster care and orphanage systems in Augusta.
"So I had several of my family members in foster care and in orphanages right here in the city of Augusta. And as a teenager, I was helpless. Didn’t have the requisite skill set, didn’t have the education, definitely didn’t have the money to do it. But none of them have ever recovered. And because they never recovered, I never forgot," Drumgoole said, reflecting on the motivation behind the project.
Community Effort Behind Bridge Builder Communities
The tiny homes community was brought to life through three years of collaboration with city leaders, local businesses, and supporters. BBC’s commitment has resulted in a space where young adults can transition to independence with dignity and support. The event celebrating the project’s completion drew a large turnout, highlighting its significance to the Augusta area.
Heidi Carr of Fostering Success Act Inc. shared stories that underline the urgent need for this type of supportive housing. "I talked to young man who was 18 years old. He came home to his foster family on his 18th birthday and they basically met him at the door with a trash bag with all of his belongings and a Marta card and said, ‘Good luck. You’re 18. You’re on your own,'" she recounted.
Impact of Supportive Housing on Former Foster Youth
Michael Conger, who spent time in the foster care system, attended the opening and spoke about the difference programs like BBC can make. "I slowly over the last few years, I have worked my way through college. I have got my associates, my bachelors, my masters. I’m now a Ph.D. candidate in public policy and administration," he said, demonstrating the potential for success given the right support structure.
The BBC staff, including Development Manager Delaney Chesnick, expressed gratitude for being part of the effort. "I still catch myself looking around and being amazed by the work that the Drumgooles put into this, our community has put into it. This is really an amazing example of what can happen when a community comes together for a greater purpose," Chesnick said.
Looking to the Future: Expansion and Demand
The community currently features 26 tiny houses and has selected its first five residents, who are expected to move in by the end of the month. However, BBC faces demand that far exceeds its initial capacity, with 60 more applicants on the waiting list. Drumgoole noted the need to expand, saying, "We’re looking at other sites and we recognize we have to grow. We have to expand. We definitely need more space. And so we’re landlocked here. We have 26 homes on site. We’re going to need additional land, are going to need additional spaces because there are young adults with kids that need help."
The completion of this tiny homes community represents a milestone in community development and support for youth housing, offering new hope for homeless prevention among former foster youth in Augusta, Georgia.
Source: wjbf.com.
