At Emmaus House, we believe that by partnering with organizations within the community we are able to extend our reach and multiply our impact and that when we do so, we all become stronger. In the Fall of 2020, All Saints’ Episcopal Church commissioned a committee to explore the ways their parish might aid in the struggle for justice and peace. During the year that followed, they met with numerous community leaders throughout Atlanta to assess the different opportunities for service. They felt strongly that their mission would be best served by committing to a long-term relationship with a particular place and a particular people. They choose to partner with Emmaus House. They chose to love in Peoplestown.

All Saints’ and Emmaus House believe that the foundation of a successful partnership lies first in friendship, and second in service. We do not begin by bringing pre-determined solutions to the challenges that face a community. Instead, we bring ourselves. We listen. We seek to learn and grow and be changed by our relationships with others. We strive to be neighbors.

We believe that partnership is a way of “praying with our feet.” Faith is most meaningful when it is expressed through action and love. "If we are to be the Beloved Community, we must break down barriers and recognize that we're all in this together,” says Greg Cole, Executive Director at Emmaus House. “Our work at Emmaus House requires that we share a common purpose and mission with our partners."

Together, we are more than the sum of our parts. When we partner with others, we can exceed our individual grasp and allow God to work through us, to multiply. Partnership allows us to engage in work that is bigger than our private interests, to experience Community with a capital “C,” and to engage with the Spirit that connects all of us. God is in our communities, God is in our partnerships. Most of all, God is in the love we show for one another.

If you are interested in becoming a partner or have any questions, please contact Greg Cole at gregcole@emmaushouse.org.

As we gear up for this year’s CDF Freedom School® at Emmaus House, we’ve been thinking a lot about legacy, and the way that foundations set the tone for all that is to follow.

The seed for CDF Freedom Schools was planted in 1964 during the Mississippi Freedom Summer Project, when college students from around the country traveled to Mississippi to help secure voting rights for Black citizens. They helped by providing instruction in core subjects–reading, writing, math, science–but also subjects that weren’t taught in Mississippi public schools, such as Black history and constitutional rights. They wanted to empower students to become agents of change in their communities by providing–not just information–but context. Not just the what, but the why.

Today, CDF Freedom Schools don’t just provide reading instruction. We utilize a research-based integrated curriculum that prioritizes intergenerational support and mentorship, while helping connect families to resources inside their community. Freedom schools encourage a positive attitude toward learning by providing rich, culturally relevant books that enable children to see themselves as part of a multiracial, multicultural society. They feel connected to the materials they read. Not just how, but why. Literacy meets immediacy.

All of this comes at a critical time for students. During an average summer, children may lose up to two months' worth of learning. This is known as the “summer slide,” and it accounts for more than half of the achievement gap between lower- and higher-income students.

This year, the Emmaus House Freedom School will be held from June 13-July 22 on our campus. In addition to reading enrichment activities, students enjoy swimming, art, yoga, and field trips to area attractions. Breakfast, lunch, and snacks are provided. The program is free and open to students in grades K-8. Space is limited, so enroll today!

April 17-23 is National Volunteer Week. We want to take a moment to celebrate the volunteers whose work helps move our mission forward. We could not do the work we do without them.

We believe that to volunteer is a profound expression of community. It ensures that the helping hand you see is your neighbor’s, and that we all participate in lifting ourselves up. So join us in applauding this incredible group of people, and if you are interested in lending a hand, please visit: emmaushouse.org/volunteer.

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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