We’re pleased to announce that we are now a Bridge of Hope program site! Bridge of Hope is a 12-24 month program designed to help families facing homelessness achieve family stability and long-term change. Their unique ministry model provides families in need with safe and sustainable housing, neighboring support, and professional guidance throughout their transition.

We plan to welcome our first family this Spring, and our friends at All Saints Episcopal Church will join our effort by serving as our first cohort of Neighboring Volunteers, providing practical support and encouragement to our Peoplestown families in need. If your parish is interested in participating, please email Greg Cole, our Executive Director.

We, alongside our partners, are committed to making a difference in ending family homelessness with dignity and faith.

After an impactful career at Emmaus House, Ann Fowler, Director of Education Services, is retiring on July 31, 2022.

Over two stints totaling twelve years, Ann oversaw programs focused on eliminating poverty through education in the Peoplestown neighborhood and beyond. She has helped develop two-generational programs that engage children and parents through academic and personal support, cultural enrichment, and leadership development.

An explorer with a mission-driven heart, Ann has traveled on pilgrimages to Ghana and Jerusalem. In addition, she has participated in several mission trips to the US Gulf Coast, Belize, and Haiti with members of her home parish, the Church of the Epiphany. As her new chapter begins, she intends to hike the Georgia section of the Appalachian Trail in August!

We celebrate Ann's invaluable contribution to Emmaus House and our neighbors in Peoplestown. Her legacy will continue to impact our daily work and programs to come.

Best wishes, Ann. Enjoy your next chapter!

Last fall, Emmaus House partnered with the Barack and Michelle Obama Academy (BaMO) to start a tutoring program. This program is designed to help first and second graders improve their reading and reach their fullest academic and personal potential. As the pandemic enters its third year, new studies now show that about one-third of children in the youngest grades are missing reading benchmarks, up significantly from before the pandemic.

Did you know children who can’t read by third grade are four times more likely to drop out of school? Though children in every demographic group have been affected, Black and Hispanic children, low-income families, those with disabilities, and those not fluent in English, have fallen the furthest behind.

On Mondays and Wednesdays, volunteers tutors from various churches in the Diocese of Atlanta, such as the Church of the Epiphany, St. Michael and All Angels, Emmaus House Chapel, and All Saints, all lend a helping hand in reading with our children and equipping them for success.

Volunteer Lisa Daily from Church of the Epiphany shared, “It is a joy to watch the children in Ms. Mendoza’s second-grade class learn and grow. The children we tutor have made a lot of progress since October. They are curious, kind, and fun to be with.”

We are confident that our program will continue to develop strong, literate, and empowered children to excel in school and beyond.

We thank our volunteers who are helping us reach this goal!

Black History Month honors the struggles and celebrates the victories and contributions of Black men and women throughout U.S. history. During the month, we retell the often-forgotten stories, unearth challenges, and highlight inequities often dismissed.

We believe that not only should we continue to celebrate the contributions of Black Americans, but we should also continue to teach them to our children year-round. Our Children’s Defense Fund (CDF) Freedom Schools® program is one of many ways to create opportunities for our community to be empowered and inspired by the legacy of Black Heroes and everyday women and men who make a difference. Our CDF Freedom School summer reading program provides K-12 scholars with rich, culturally relevant pedagogy and high-quality books that deepen their understanding of themselves and their cultural heritage.

Our CDF Freedom School program further empowers scholars to believe in their ability and responsibility to make a difference while instilling a love of reading that helps them avoid summer learning loss.

We look forward to celebrating the month ahead and beyond.

Brent Harrell (above, middle) is a long-time Emmaus House supporter, husband, and father who has called Atlanta home for the past 20 years. Brent has spent 17 of those years generously donating Christmas lunches to Peoplestown seniors in need. “Their pride and love of their faith, community, and for one another is truly contagious, and I am grateful that my small role has given me the opportunity to get to know the Seniors of Peoplestown and to experience first hand the importance and purpose of the Emmaus House to this community,” Brent said. What started as a service project while working at SunTrust Banks became a yearly tradition long after he moved on from the company.

He shared his appreciation for the opportunity to contribute and participate in their Christmas celebrations and witness so many positive changes over the years. “Interacting with the folks, seeing them all dressed up, and filled with so much joy as they celebrate Christmas together has been such a great experience.” Brent went on to express how donating the lunches has impacted his life in invaluable ways. “Peoplestown seniors have taught me the importance of slowing down, appreciating the little things, and taking time out to be present in the moment.”

It’s easy to take a meal for granted, live life on autopilot, and rarely take a moment to cherish the little things. However, Brent’s words serve as a reminder that being present in our giving not only changes the lives of those who receive, giving is a gift that always gives back to us in priceless ways.

Last month, Emmaus House volunteer tutors, Clinton Deveaux and Ann Fowler, helped judge the annual spelling bee at the Barack and Michelle Obama (BaMO) Academy in Peoplestown. We look forward to continuing our partnership with the BaMO Academy and our work to empower children to make a difference in themselves, their families, and their communities.

For several years Emmaus House and BaMO have partnered to improve educational outcomes for children in the Peoplestown community. Our summer Freedom School is located at BaMO, and a majority of students come from the school. BaMO provides Freedom School with transportation, meals, and teaching and custodial assistance. During the academic year, Emmaus House helps BaMO with the Support for Students tutoring program.

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Recently, the Barack and Michelle Obama Academy (BAMO) held its ribbon-cutting ceremony in celebration of its renovation and expansion. The Academy’s growth ensures the children in our community receive the educational resources they need to succeed.

We were honored to attend the ceremony and celebrate the success of such an impactful community endeavor. We look forward to continuing our special partnership with the BAMO Academy and our work to empower children to make a difference in themselves, their families, their communities, and their world.

On November 23, in preparation for Thanksgiving, 250 families in need received Thanksgiving dinners, including over 680 bags of side items from Emmaus House.

The meals not only made part of our efforts to fight food insecurity but also provided the members of Peoplestown an opportunity to celebrate and give thanks with their family members and community. Celebrating the holidays together leads to stronger family and communal ties, and we are grateful for the support from donors and volunteers like you who help us and our community. Thank you.

Our Community In the News:
We're grateful to have been featured in a recent article by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution showcasing five metro-Atlanta organizations helping those in need of food assistance. Access the article here.

Throughout the pandemic, the "555" seniors group has continued to meet at Four Corners Park (across the street from Emmaus House), under the direction of Columbus Ward. On Thursdays, Emmaus House hosts "Art in the Park," art instruction and a space for "555" men and women to get creative and enjoy lively conversation.

Ann Fowler, our Director of Education Services, leads "Art in the Park" and says that one of the highlights of her week is teaching art to the 555 seniors. One of the projects was painting icons of "Mother of the Streets" and Ethiopian versions of the crucifixion and Mary and Jesus. Take a look at the artists' latest creations!