The Children’s Defense Fund’s The State of America’s Children® 2017 report places a spotlight on child hunger and nutrition, healthcare, education, and more to increase awareness in each of the 50 states. Each day, the staff at Emmaus House works alongside our many neighborhood partners to make a difference in the lives of our most vulnerable neighbors, children, and youth. See what the numbers say about children living in Georgia. 

Thank you for standing with us in 2017. With your prayers and support, we were able to have another exceptional year partnering with our neighbors on their path to a better life. Thanks to your support, we know 2018 will bring even greater blessings to Peoplestown. Below are a few of the achievements that you help to make possible:

• 31 families in intensive case management via Peoplestown Family Initiative

• Delivering 6,000 services via Lokey help Center

• 658 families visiting our Client Choice Food Pantry

• Distributing 24,000 lbs of food

• 400 families receiving crisis, medical, and financial aid

• 94% of children tested maintaining or increasing their reading level during our CDF Freedom Schools® Program

Over the last two years, our Client Choice Food Pantry has grown from a back room in the Lokey Help Center, to our two car garage space with extended weekend shopping hours. We are thrilled to welcome Kristie Parker to the Emmaus House family as our new Food Pantry coordinator. Kristie will help meet the increased demand for food services as well as coordinate activities for our Stabilizing Lives program, made possible by the Atlanta Community Food Bank. Kristie brings to her role exceptional customer service skills that are sure to offer an efficient and friendly experience for our patrons and partners. Welcome, Kristie!

It has been a long time since I stood here. I was 21 and was about to leave after two years as a part of the staff here – from what Father Ford called my other home.

He asked me to come up and say a few words at the service. I remember standing in my choir robe and didn’t know what to say, but then again it was impossible to say no to Father Ford. So I cried. And said there was a lot I wanted to say to you, but it was too difficult at that time.

What I did want to say back then was: Thank you. Thank you for letting me into your community of love, prayer, work, laughs, sadness and more love. Love of your family, friends, neighbors, and kids like me that came to you to achieve some kind of new knowledge of the world that we couldn’t get through books in school. To grow up in a new setting. I learned a lot about love back then 30 years ago.

I wanted to say thank you for teaching me some of the values in life that I wouldn’t be able to comprehend without being a part of your community. The value of sharing. The value of giving. The value of welcoming your neighbor to your house or your front porch. The true meaning of loving your neighbor. I wanted to say that I was going to miss you. That I was so sorry to leave. But that I had to, to be able to go on in a life far, far away. I had to go back to my family and a girl I loved.

You must think it is kind of odd to say this because I didn't hold on to you through letters, phone calls, or whatever we used to get in touch with back then. It has been a mixture of being afraid to miss you too much, getting into a new life again, and in the end feeling ashamed for taking so long to reach out. I am truly sorry for that. Some I have reached on Facebook, and lately, we have communicated a lot to be able to meet this weekend. I hope to keep in touch more now.

Now I am here. With my son, who has the same hair and beard as I had 30 years ago. Whom I am so happy to travel with and share some experiences with. Whom I have wanted for a long time to show what I have been talking about when I said I lived here for two years. Because those two years have formed my life and my life choices more than I knew when I left you.

First of all, I had to change all my political views. I had seen that what may be an American Dream for many, is not to the benefit for all. There has to be some kind of support for a lot of people to be able to be a part of the progress in the country.

Secondly, I had to open my doors to whoever needed my help. Even though I was not able to help, I could do something for them helping their way through.

Finally, I now know the value of being there. Facing whatever is coming toward you even though it scares you. Embracing the love you can get, and give, to your loved ones. But most of all being there even though you don’t know if anybody needs you. Care for them anyhow. Care for the ones that you don’t even relate to, but want to create a better life for. That is some of the very important impacts it had on me staying at Emmaus House. That is something I can never repay you for. That is something that I am truly grateful for.

So, thank you for having me here. Thank you for letting me grow up a little here. Thank you for letting me get to know your children. Thank you for you.

– Anders Wang Maarbjerg

We are looking to expand our food pantry services and need volunteers to assist on Saturday mornings. If you are interested in volunteering in our client choice food pantry, we will hold a training day on February 10 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. 

We need courteous, skilled, and devoted volunteers to help our neighbors navigate our food pantry services and provide helpful support. Each volunteer will receive training and will be expected to maintain a schedule of at least two Saturdays per month.

Possible duties of a volunteer include the following:

• Answer phones and assist clients as they check in
• Assist with logging information into the computer database management system Oasis
• Clean pantry to create a safe, welcoming space
• Prep bags/boxes for clients to place selected food
• Welcome clients to the pantry and provide excellent customer service
• Guide clients through the choice pantry
• Assist in restocking shelves and keeping food organized

If you are interested please contact Adam Seeley at 404-525- 5948 or send an email to
adamseeley@emmaushouse.org.

The Stave Room

This year’s Gala recognizes our stellar Emmaus House program participants and volunteers. Guests will also have a unique opportunity to ‘Fund-a-Need’ during our live auction.

Save the date! The 2018 Emmaus House Gala will take place on April 29 at the Stave Room from 6-8 p.m. A special reception will precede the event at 5 p.m.

More details to follow. We look forward to seeing you soon!

Take a look at highlights from the 2017 “Forward from 50” Gala held May 7 at the Carter Center. 

Each month, a member of our staff will share a look into their programs and experiences working at Emmaus House. This month's entry of ‘Staff Musings’ comes from our Case Manager, Tanisha Corporal. 

As a case manager at Emmaus House, I lead the Peoplestown Family Initiative (PFI). I walk alongside families as they work to improve their lives. PFI promotes family economic success through supportive services and intensive case management. Each week, I witness the pride and confidence that develops as our families achieve the goals they have set.

In 2017, our partnerships with local agencies helped us provide financial and educational support to 25 low-income families seeking self-sufficiency. We coordinated services related to employment, housing, literacy, education, and other key indicators of stability for our program participants.

I am especially proud of the PFI program and the work that Emmaus House does to help families thrive. Personally, I live in a neighboring community and have some knowledge of the challenges experienced by residents of under-resourced urban areas. From access to quality child care to workforce readiness, Emmaus House connects families to the resources they need.

In February, we will host our program kick-off, where participants will receive updates about the program, have an opportunity to evaluate their individual progress and refine their plans. I could not be more thrilled!

In some ways, you could say that I am an intentional neighbor – living in and serving in my community. I look forward to expanding our program to reach more families in the upcoming program year.

Tanisha Corporal
Case Manager

We are looking to expand our food pantry services and need volunteers to assist on Saturday mornings. We need courteous, skilled, and devoted volunteers to help our neighbors navigate our food pantry services and provide helpful support. Each volunteer will receive training and will be expected to maintain a schedule of at least two Saturdays per month.

Possible duties of a volunteer include the following:

• Answer phones and assist clients as they check in
• Assist with logging information into the computer database management system Oasis
• Clean pantry to create a safe, welcoming space
• Prep bags/boxes for clients to place selected food
• Welcome clients to the pantry and provide excellent customer service
• Guide clients through the choice pantry
• Assist in restocking shelves and keeping food organized

If you are interested please contact Adam Seeley at 404-525- 5948 or send an email to
adamseeley@emmaushouse.org.

Last week, Jennifer Grove of WSB-TV's People 2 People program visited Emmaus House! Her tour included Youth on the Move, a look at our food pantry and a chat with our very own YOTM Program Manager Rakia Reeves and Executive Director Greg Cole. Jennifer even got a close up of the Capoeira class, a Brazilian martial art form that students have been studying this fall.

People 2 People chronicles events and newsmakers in North Georgia. Fred Blankenship and Linda Stouffer anchor the half-hour program which is followed by a special "One on One" segment with community figures. Their mission is to help improve the quality of life for viewers in Georgia and to raise awareness of critical issues affecting our community.

Tune in to Channel 2 at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, December 17 to catch a glimpse of the Emmaus House spotlight.