The Only Constants Are Change and Community

Community has been a vital part of our work since its earliest days. From the civil rights movement to the uncertainty of the past few years, the reason our work has continued to evolve and move forward is because it isn’t grounded in a single idea or agenda, but in a place, a people, a community.

A Legacy of Action

In 1967, Father Austin Ford moved into a dilapidated two-story home in Peoplestown along with two nuns and a seminary student. There, he began to think of ways that he could help the community.

He set up an after-school program, transportation for family members to visit loved ones at Reidsville State Prison, chapel services, and hot meals. Over the years, our work and programming continued to evolve along with our neighbors’ needs.

In 1970, the Poverty Rights Office opened to champion poor and underserved families who were facing discrimination.

In 1972, Emmaus House played a strategic role in desegregating Atlanta schools, recruiting parents from the community to monitor buses carrying students to schools on the Northside.

In 1980, Emmaus House advocates helped overturn an early rule requiring residents to purchase their food stamps.

Together

Everything we do is only possible with help from our community.

At the Freedom School, we begin each morning with Harambee, a daily ritual that includes singing, call and response, guest readers, and more. In Swahili, Harambee means “let’s pull together,” and this idea guides both our Freedom School and our organization as a whole.

As a place-based mission, our work is never finished—old needs give way to new ones. But with your support, we will continue to help lift up residents of Peoplestown and surrounding areas no matter what the future brings.

We are so grateful for our community.