The Song Remains the Same

Emmaus House was founded during a time of social and political unrest when conversations about race and wealth both dominated and divided our culture. 

A lot has changed since then. 

We now live in a society where Black children may be seated next to white children in school, yet face an entirely different set of expectations and outcomes. Similarly, gentrification has created massive divisions in our communities, with high-end developments situated alongside legacy homes that house multiple generations of family members.

On the surface, we see diversity and a general elevation of standards, but without a commensurate distribution of resources, our vulnerable neighbors are struggling more than ever. And what’s worse: their pain often goes unseen.

Mission in progress

Even in the last few years, much has changed. In 2019, the Emmaus House Advisory Board approved a new mission statement: “Emmaus House works to improve the economic and social well-being of the residents of Peoplestown and surrounding neighborhoods.”

With the redevelopment of the Georgia State Stadium and the Beltline—and the impact those projects have had on the area—it may look to some like that mission is well on its way. There certainly seems to be plenty of economic and social well-being going around. The problem is that legacy residents and homeowners aren’t the ones benefiting from this development. In fact, it’s on their backs that much of it is being built.

A time of need

As an organization, so much of our impact is made possible by our community of supporters and partners. Many have been drawn to our work over the years because of the obvious needs that face Peoplestown and surrounding areas. As those needs become less apparent, however, we’re noticing that many of the funds our neighbors depend on are being diverted elsewhere.

We know that there are many worthy causes. One of the things that has always distinguished our work at Emmaus House, however, is our commitment not to a cause, but to a place, a people… a commitment to our community.

Communities are not static. They move, they change, and so do their needs. Your support allows us to think holistically about our impact, providing emergency support to neighbors in crisis, a wide range of social services, and, of course, programming that facilitates opportunity and well-being.

By staying engaged with the community, we’re able to recognize and respond to emerging challenges, shifting our focus when necessary so that we all rise together.

Challenge and opportunity

The simple fact is that we need your support now more than ever… because of the changes facing our community. 

With gentrification displacing more and more of our neighbors beneath a veneer of upscale dining and shopping options, it can be tempting to succumb to the inevitable; to believe that, whatever the cause, the neighborhood will continue to change and those who can’t afford the new standard of “luxury” will be forced to relocate. Where once there was community and a shared sense of history, there will be diaspora as residents move elsewhere.

But we are not in a moment of inevitability. We are in a moment of crisis. 

If we don’t support one another now, we risk renewing the cycle of disenfranchisement that began our struggle so many years ago. We must work together to preserve what we’ve built and ensure that the changes facing this community benefit everyone.

We can do it, but only with your support. At Emmaus House, we rise and fall on the strength of our community. Luckily, our community is strong. Our community is you.