There is nothing quite like the Holiday season at Emmaus House! Our holiday traditions date back to the early days of Emmaus House. Each year, we welcome hundreds of Peoplestown residents and volunteers to celebrate the spirit of the holidays with us. First on our packed agenda of activities is Thanksgiving at Home! On Monday, November 20, Emmaus House will provide more than 300 families with provisions to celebrate Thanksgiving at home with a true feast.

How you can help:

• Donate side items (we provide the shopping list and bag for you to put the groceries in)

• Contribute to the cost of 300 turkeys. Bags are due by Friday, November 17 at 4:00 pm.

Contact Charlotte Cameron at (404) 525-5948, ext. 22, or charlottecameron@emmaushouse.org for more information.

First generation college students often face financial, academic, and cultural challenges when they try to pursue a postsecondary education. Typically, students of color from low-income neighborhoods and underserved schools do not receive the attention, resources, or information needed to successfully journey through college.

Emmaus House is addressing this challenge through our new program, Pipeline to College, that seeks to fill the gaps that form barriers and stumbling blocks to academic and vocational progression.

Our inaugural cohort of five first-generation college students from Peoplestown began their Pipeline to College journey on October 23. The students will participate in weekly group meetings with Candler School of Theology student Bridget Hall, who will lead them in discussion, offer advice, provide academic referrals and resources, and guide them through their first two years of college life. Mentors will provide monthly face-to-face individualized care and support for each student.

By supporting and encouraging first-generation college students to remain in college and to graduate, we help them to create a strong foundation for success. We wish our first cohort much success as they approach their first big milestone together, FINAL EXAMS!

Each month, a member of our staff will share a look into their programs and experiences working at Emmaus House. Our first entry for ‘Staff Musings’ comes from our Executive Director, Greg Cole.

“Emmaus House stands for justice and equity, rooted in faith and a deep respect for the dignity of every human being. We harness the power of community, education, hope, and love to dismantle poverty, racism, and other barriers to opportunity in the lives and communities we serve.” 

What a powerful statement. Many of you will recognize in this new values statement echoes of the Episcopal baptismal covenant (“respecting the dignity of every human being”) as well as the work on dismantling racism taking place at the new Absalom Jones Episcopal Center for Racial Healing. 

This values statement, along with the strategic plan in which it appears, serves as my roadmap for leadership at Emmaus House. 

As we seek to help those who live in poverty, we cannot ignore the role that racism plays in perpetuating systems that lead to generational poverty. I have had the opportunity over the last couple of weeks to dig deeper - both personally and as a leader -  into this issue. I attended a two-day workshop called Fundamentals of Facilitation for Racial Justice Work, sponsored by the Interaction Institute for Social Change. Also, I was part of an ongoing conversation sponsored by the Atlanta Civic Site of the Annie E. Casey Foundation called Changing the Odds: Ensuring Quality & Equity in Public Education. As the folks at the foundation like to say, “Let’s not ask children to beat the odds. Let’s change the odds.”

This work is as important now as it has ever been. We at Emmaus House share a deep commitment to ensuring that all people, regardless of race, receive equitable opportunities to thrive. Given the challenges of gentrification and the income disparities that are so prevalent in Atlanta, this is no easy task. Thank you for your support as we seek to live out our values statement to create a more equitable city for all people.

Greg Cole
Executive Director

YOTM Senior Spotlight: Alexis (center) pictured with YOTM friends, Quavontaye and Malik, before heading to VSU with $20,000 in scholarships.

When Alexis Peterson set foot on the campus of Valdosta State University in mid-August, she had one mission in mind: to let her light shine. Her sister Maxine ‘made a way’ to rent a car that would take Alexis on the 226-mile journey from Atlanta to campus. After a short stop at The Waffle House, Alexis moved into her new home in Langdale Hall. She is one of 1,600 freshmen at VSU. This historically large class size is no match for self-assured Alexis who hopes to help her introverted roommate, Tatiyana, break out of her shell.

 “I feel so blessed. Emmaus is my family… I love them. I worked hard, but Emmaus helped get me here. I wouldn’t be willing to walk up to someone, shake their hand, and introduce myself like I do now. I’m going to be myself and shine my light.” – Alexis Peterson

With just a few weeks under her belt, Alexis is acclimating to college life as a Computer Information Systems major- a nod to her time in the Saturday STEAM program at Emmaus House. She has a full academic schedule that includes Human Geography and a 4-day per week “Principles of Computer Programming” course. She’s even been to her first party – which she jokingly described as “pretty lame.”

Fun aside, Alexis credits her commitment to making ‘good friend choices’ and her focus on academics to the support and guidance she received attending Emmaus House programs throughout her middle and high school years. Thanks to your generosity, our capacity to support Alexis, her family and other families in Peoplestown has grown this past year.

This year marks 50 years that Emmaus House has served the Peoplestown community. In addition to celebrating this important milestone, we’re looking ‘Forward from Fifty.’ We’re keeping busy each day expanding our social service and education offerings. With the support of the Atlanta Community Food Bank, we’ve doubled the amount of food we can distribute through our Food Pantry. A converted two-bay garage houses our commercial refrigerator and freezer to offer produce, meats, and dairy to our clients. In conjunction with the Peoplestown Family Initiative (PFI), we are moving closer to the goal of removing food insecurity as a barrier to success.

Alexis’ favorite program, Youth on the Move (YOTM), is back this fall – bigger and better than ever! We’re grateful that The United Way of Greater Atlanta helps make this possible. ‘Let your light shine’ is just one of the many empowering mantras youth like Alexis learn when they spend their evenings getting critical homework help and exploring exciting career paths at YOTM.

When YOU shine your light by donating, you help children and youth to succeed at school and you help parents move toward greater economic well-being. An anonymous donor has pledged to match, dollar for dollar, the funds we raise as you shine your light on Emmaus House - up to $17,000. The impact of every dollar you give will be DOUBLED. With your help, we can look ‘Forward from Fifty’ by serving, supporting, and listening to our neighbors here on the southside of Atlanta.

Thank you for partnering with us to make a difference in the lives of children, youth, and families in Peoplestown and surrounding neighborhoods. Alexis’ success story is just one of many we are grateful to experience each day- reminding us of how far we have come and inspiring us to continue the work God calls us to do. Only through your unwavering faith and support are these successes possible.

Donate today to support children and youth who hope to follow in Alexis’ footsteps. Your donation will be matched – dollar for dollar! Your donation will result in even more inspiring stories as we move ‘Forward from Fifty.’

Atlanta, GA – September 7, 2017 – For the past 50 years, Emmaus House has worked toward the goal that all families in Peoplestown experience academic achievement and sustained economic success. Emmaus House has come a long way over the years, from exciting beginnings with Father Austin Ford in the 1960’s to a thriving hub of activity today. “We’re excited to celebrate this special milestone in the life of Emmaus House,” said Greg Cole, Executive Director at Emmaus House. “During our 50th anniversary weekend, we will join with the Annual Peoplestown Reunion to celebrate our history of service and look ‘Forward from 50’ toward our bright future.”

Emmaus House is grateful for our partnership with the residents of Peoplestown. We welcome community members, past and present residents of Peoplestown and friends of Emmaus House to celebrate all that we have accomplished together over the past 50 years during a three-day celebration September 15–17, 2017.

September 15, 6 – 8 p.m.
Please join us for a celebratory cocktail reception in Ezzard Hall at Emmaus House. This is an opportunity for friends who have been touched by Emmaus House over the years to reconnect, meet new friends, and share stories of their experiences. Tickets are $20. Purchase tickets here.

September 16, 12 – 4 p.m.
In partnership with the annual Peoplestown Reunion, we will join our neighbors for an open house, a history walk including 50 years of highlights, and a barbecue sponsored by Episcopal Church of the Annunciation. We will collect stories from those who have been around Emmaus House over the years, so come prepared with your best experiences. All are welcome to join us for this celebration of our years of transformational service in the neighborhood. This event is free and open to the public.

September 17, 10:30 a.m.
The Episcopal Chapel at Emmaus House will celebrate a Festive Eucharist to recommit ourselves to God's work in Peoplestown and beyond. All are invited to worship with us on this very special day. This event is free and open to the public.

About Emmaus House
Emmaus House stands for justice and equity, rooted in faith and a deep respect for the dignity of every human being. We harness the power of community, education, hope, and love to dismantle poverty, racism, and other barriers to opportunity in the lives and communities we serve. We provide access to high-quality educational experiences for children, youth, and parents as well as crisis support for individuals and intensive case management for families. Our food pantry, in partnership with the Atlanta Community Food Bank, helps to remove food instability as a barrier to success. A full detailed list of our programs can be found: here.

Emmaus House serves residents of Peoplestown, an underserved neighborhood in Atlanta just south of Turner Field. Emmaus House programs focus on three strategic priorities: Economic Success, Academic Achievement and Youth Development, and Grassroots Leadership and Social Justice.

Emmaus House seeks transformational change in the lives of individuals, within communities, and in the systems that shape them. We seek to empower people who experience the effects of poverty, race inequality, and educational disparities.
 

See the Emmaus House impact via our 2016 Overview video.

Read what Emmaus House is up to via our August Newsletter.

Experience Emmaus House activities via our Facebook Page.

Learn more about Emmaus House via our Instagram Profile.

Celebrate our 50-year legacy via our digital History Walk.

Contact
Melissa R. Brogdon  
Emmaus House, Director of Development and Communications
404-525-5948 ext. 13
melissabrogdon@emmaushouse.org

Our scholars at CDF Freedom Schools® wrapped up their summer by spending four days at Camp Mikell in the North Georgia Mountains. This camp provides students opportunities for learning, fun, and creative expression while developing leadership skills and self-confidence through outdoor activities. Check out highlights from their weekend. 

Emmaus House has come a long way over the years, from humble beginnings with Father Austin Ford in the 1960’s. We’re grateful for our partnership with the residents of Peoplestown and look forward to celebrating all that we have accomplished together over the past 50 years during a three-day celebration September 15 - 17, 2017. 

September 15, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Please join us for a celebratory cocktail reception in Ezzard Hall at Emmaus House. This is an opportunity for friends who have been touched by Emmaus House over the years to reconnect, meet new Emmaus House friends, and share stories of their experiences.  Tickets are $20.

September 16, 12 - 4 p.m. 

In partnership with the annual Peoplestown Reunion, we will join our neighbors for an open house, a history walk including 50 years of highlights, and a barbecue sponsored by Episcopal Church of the Annunciation. We’ll be collecting stories from those of you who have been around Emmaus House over the years, so come prepared with your best experiences. Or, come and make some new memories. All are welcome to join us for this celebration of our years of transformational service in the neighborhood. This event is free and open to the public.

September 17, 10:30 a.m.

The Episcopal Chapel at Emmaus House will celebrate a Festive Eucharist to recommit ourselves to God's work in Peoplestown and beyond. All are invited to worship with us on this very special day. This event is free and open to the public.

The Youth on the Move program provides middle and high school students with academic assistance as well as college and career guidance to help prepare students for success as adults. This year, all four of our seniors graduated and are well on their way to reaching their goals.

This fall, Alexis Peterson will attend Valdosta State, where she has earned $20,000 in academic scholarships.  

Quavontaye Scott is working as a Servant Leader intern for the Emmaus House Freedom Schools as he prepares to enter the University of West Georgia. 

Malik Holmes has enlisted in the United States Army and is excited about earning a $64,000 scholarship to pay for his college education. 

Jamal Shakoor plans to attend Atlanta Technical College in the future and is interested in music production. 

Our seniors have bright futures ahead, and we hope you’ll join us in wishing them all the best!

Thanks to a generous gift from the Atlanta Community Food Bank, Emmaus House recently doubled the size our food pantry. This expansion makes it possible for us to offer a client choice model that allows participants to choose the groceries they need, much like most of us do when we go to the grocery store. We now offer a greater variety of food such as meat, dairy items, and produce. We are very happy to provide this higher degree of service to our neighbors and are grateful for the opportunity to strengthen our relationship with the Atlanta Community Food Bank.

In June, Emmaus House served 132 households, consisting of 367 household members. In the past year, we have distributed over 30,000 lbs. of food, and we expect to distribute even more in the coming year. Want to get involved? Your $10 donation buys groceries from our food pantry for one family. Donate today!