Ann Fowler, the Director of Education Services here at Emmaus House, will be retiring at the end of this month.

As we celebrate her 12 years of service, we took the occasion to sit down with her one last time to discuss the relationship between education and poverty, the role of faith-based missions, and a few of the things she has learned throughout her tenure at Emmaus House.

Ann will be sorely missed, but her legacy of service will live on in all of our future work.

What are some of the programs you’ve helped develop at Emmaus House?

In the early 2000s, I helped develop the children’s Saturday Community Arts program with Bishop Frank Allan. With a team of volunteers, we offered classes in woodturning, woodworking, weaving, pottery, knitting, painting, and more. During the week, I taught art to the Senior Strollers and to people in recovery from substance abuse. I also established the After School All Star program, first for sixth grade boys, and then for elementary school students. Volunteers taught, tutored, and mentored the children in these programs with me.

In 2015, I created Homework Relief Bootcamp for parents and families of young children in Peoplestown. Volunteers and Road Fellows tutored students while adults worked on reading skills with an instructor from Literacy Action. Churches provided dinners for the families. Eventually, participants renamed the program Parent Power.

In 2018, Tavon Betts and I co-facilitated Fostering Family Leaders, a United Way program for parents and family members. It promoted family leadership as an essential element in engaging parents and guardians to take active roles in building strong healthy families.

I’ve been the project director of the Children’s Defense Fund’s Freedom Schools® program since its inception at Emmaus House in 2015.

During the pandemic of 2020, I created Vision 2020, a six-week online literacy program that served 40 elementary school students during the summer. Volunteers delivered meals and books to the scholars’ families during that time, and I continued to deliver meals, books, school projects, and supplies to them during the 2020-2021 Supports for Students program.

In 2021-2022, Support for Students transitioned into an in-person tutoring program. Volunteers from Church of the Epiphany, All Saints’, St. Michael’s and All Angels, and the Emmaus House Chapel served as weekly tutors for K-2nd grade scholars at Barack and Michelle Obama Academy.

During the past year, I taught Art in the Park for the 555 seniors’ group at Four Corners Park.

How do you think educational programming can help address poverty?

Good educational programming cultivates an appreciation of knowledge and learning. Educational programs—especially those that foster an interest in reading and creative problem-solving—help equip scholars for higher academic institutions and the workforce. They also provide training and experiences for young entrepreneurs, inspiring them to establish their own businesses.

Could you describe some of the mission trips you’ve been on outside of your role at EH?

My mission trips to Belize and the Mississippi Gulf Coast focused on emergency relief after hurricanes ravaged those areas. They involved cleaning up destroyed properties and helping to rebuild schools and homes.

The trips to Haiti were more about forming collaborative long-term relationships with people living there. My home church, Church of the Epiphany, partnered with the Bishop Tharp Institute of Business and Technology in Les Cayes. We taught classes and, following the wishes of locals, helped finance the construction of a guest house on the campus.

I’ve traveled to Iona, Jerusalem, and Ghana, but these were spiritual pilgrimages rather than mission trips.

How would you describe the connection between faith-based missions and community initiatives?

I try to follow the Baptismal Covenant from the Episcopal Book of Common Prayer, seeking and serving Christ in all persons, striving for justice and peace among all people, and respecting the dignity of every human being.

For me, the connection between faith-based missions and community initiatives is asking, “How can I make the world a better place? How can I help my neighbor… in my city, and in the world?”

I may not be able to do much, but I can do something.

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

What is the single most important thing you’ve learned during your time at EH?

I think Maya Angelou’s quote rings true, “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

I’ve attempted to offer high-quality educational programming to the Emmaus House community, but it was just as important for me to care for—and give attention to—individuals seeking help or needing someone to listen to them. I’ve tried to treat people with compassion and love, and to provide a safe space for them to express their feelings.

Is there anything you’d like to say to the EH community?

I’ve had terrific jobs throughout my career, but it has been a true blessing to serve at Emmaus House. I’ve been grateful to hold a position here that is fulfilling and meaningful. Not everyone is so fortunate to experience that in their lives.

Being at Emmaus House has been more than a job to me, it’s been a ministry. I will miss the kind, welcoming Peoplestown community, and the brilliant, energetic Freedom School staff. But most of all, I will miss the bright, enthusiastic, sweet Emmaus House children. They are my heart.

Besides hiking the Georgia section of the Appalachian Trail in August, do you have any other fun/relaxing plans?

Actually, I’ve already hiked a small part of the Appalachian Trail and plan to go beyond Georgia into other southeastern states this summer and fall.

I plan to travel more with my husband, Joel, to Canada, Mexico, Europe—anywhere would be fun.

I’ll devote more time to painting and other creative projects. I already have a free-lance job to complete in August.

I’ll volunteer. After taking a break, working part-time in a church or for a non-profit is a possibility. I love community organizing and working with children and adults!

June 13 kicked off our annual Children's Defense Fund (CDF) Freedom Schools® program. For six weeks each summer, Emmaus House hosts this summer enrichment program to help children lacking educational resources improve literacy and close the achievement gap. Summers are critical, as children routinely lose up to two months’ worth of learning during this time. This “summer slide” accounts for more than half of the achievement gap between lower- and higher-income students.

During our last two programs, 100% of the scholars we assessed either maintained or improved their reading level. Some gained more than a year in functional reading ability.

Even as we celebrate the commencement of another inspiring program, we’re planning for next year’s program, and a large part of that is finances. We estimate the cost of our Freedom School program to be roughly $50 per day for each student. That’s 85 students over a 6-week period. This includes instruction, meals, counseling, and enrichment activities. The cost is high, but the result is transformative.

This year’s fundraising campaign runs through June 30. Our goal is to raise $22,000 to help cover the costs of this and next year's program. We’re excited to announce that, if we meet this goal, one of our supporters has agreed to match all donations dollar-for-dollar. The only way we can do it is with your help.

Please visit our donation page to learn more about the program and its impact. We’re not just teaching children to read, we’re lifting up entire communities one child at a time. Your gift is a message of hope and encouragement to those who need it most. We are so grateful for your support. 

June 19 is Juneteenth, a time when we celebrate the end of slavery in the United States. It dates back to 1865, but wasn’t recognized as a national holiday until last year when it was signed into law. As many know, Juneteenth is not the day that slaves were officially emancipated—that happened in 1863 when Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation. Juneteenth marks the day when news of their freedom finally reached the slaves living in Galveston, Texas, one of the last strongholds of the Confederacy. For more than two years, these free men, women, and children continued to live in chains. 

In addition to being a day that we celebrate, Juneteenth reminds us that the fact of freedom and its experience are not the same. It is not enough to pronounce freedom and equality, we must both live and defend it.

We hope that everyone has something fun planned for Juneteenth this year. But in addition to the parades, concerts, and cookouts, we encourage you to take some time to celebrate and support black-owned businesses. Empowering black individuals in our community is the best way to celebrate their achievement as well as defend their continued prosperity.

At Emmaus House, “we harness the power of community, education, hope, and love to dismantle poverty, racism, and other barriers to opportunity in the lives and communities we serve,” on June 19 and every other day. Let’s take this time to celebrate progress, but never forget that the battle continues.

Happy Juneteenth from all of us at Emmaus House.

We’re pleased to announce that the Emmaus House Chapel is once again open for in-person worship. Services are held weekly and open to all. Join us for Holy Eucharist on Sundays at 10:30 a.m., led by our new long-term supply priest, Rev. Alexis Chase.

For over 50 years, the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta has been an intimate partner of Emmaus House. Our name refers to a story in the Gospel of Luke, where, following his resurrection, Jesus appeared, unrecognized, and walked with two disciples on the road to the town of Emmaus. He explained to them the meaning of what had happened, but it wasn’t until he broke bread with them later that evening that Jesus finally revealed himself.

Emmaus House’s founder, The Very Reverend Canon Austin Ford, believed that any work, charity, or activism had to begin at the Holy Table, the table of the Eucharist. It’s in that spirit that we invite you to celebrate at the Emmaus House Chapel. God’s Holy Table is open to everyone, regardless of race, background, and socioeconomic standing.

To learn more about the Emmaus House Chapel, please visit: emmaushouse.org/chapel

This month we’re lifting up our new volunteer driver, Harris Allen. Harris helps pick up and drop off donations for the Emmaus House Food Pantry. 

Harris first learned of Emmaus House from the Cathedral of St. Phillips in Atlanta, where he sings in the choir. When he learned about Emmaus House he immediately donated to help support its mission. After attending a recent introduction through the church, Harris volunteered to help with the food pantry. His father actually helped establish the Atlanta Community Food Bank, and Harris has previously volunteered for Open Food Pantry in Brighton, MA. 

Harris holds a PhD and once worked with employers to provide healthcare solutions at scale. Now retired, he enjoys volunteering and singing in his church choir. Recently, he helped plan his 50th high school class reunion with his wife and former high school classmate, Gail. 

When asked why he chose to work with Emmaus House, he said repeatedly that we’re “his kind of people.” Harris is our kind of people too. When we work together to lift one another up we honor our relationships, and that’s what community is all about. We could not do the work that we do without volunteers like Harris.

To learn more about volunteer opportunities at Emmaus House, please visit: emmaushouse.org/volunteer 

When you’re working for social change, it can be tempting to focus solely on problems: injustice, inequality, poverty, prejudice. It is important though to take moments that celebrate our successes and express gratitude for the amazing network of support that makes our work possible. 

At Emmaus House, we harness the power of community, education, hope, and love to dismantle poverty, racism, and other barriers to opportunity. The pandemic has reinforced many of these inequalities and created many others. We are grateful for the partners who have supported us these past few years, and those who continue to do so. Your help has allowed us to continue serving our community throughout one of the most isolating times in recent history. When the idea of community feels most remote is when we need it the most. Our heartfelt thanks goes out to all of the organizations helping to lift up the residents of Peoplestown and the surrounding neighborhoods of South Atlanta.

• Annie E. Casey Foundation

• Atlanta Community Food Bank

• Betty and Davis Fitzgerald Foundation

• Church of the Epiphany

• Church of the Epiphany Episcopal Church Women

• Community Church Of Richmond

• Edward C. Miller Charitable Trust

• Emmaus House Chapel Fund

• Francis Wood Wilson Foundation

• Georgia Department of Education

• Holy Innocents' Episcopal Church

• St. Dunstan's Episcopal Church

• St. Luke's Episcopal Church

• St. Martin in the Fields Episcopal Church

• St. Timothy's Episcopal Church

• United Way of Greater Atlanta

If you are interested in partnering with Emmaus House, please contact gregcole@emmaushouse.org for more information.

When we discuss the barriers that women face, we talk a lot about income inequality and achievement gaps—and these are important. One thing we don’t talk about enough, however, is period poverty.

The problem is widespread

A 2019 study found that two-thirds of women with low income were unable to afford period products during the previous year. Every month, approximately one in three low-income women have to miss school, work, or other outings because they cannot afford period supplies.

This is a major barrier to opportunity, yet most states still tax the sale of feminine hygiene products and offer far too few programs to make these items available to women with low income.

We can do this

As a society, we owe it to ourselves to fix the systemic issues that create income inequality and achievement gaps. One thing we can do right now, however, is solve period poverty in our communities.

At Emmaus House, our food pantry is stocked with many necessary staples, including feminine hygiene items.

You can help us solve period poverty in our community by donating items on Mondays and Fridays from 9-2:30 p.m. We also accept financial contributions.

Click below to learn more about how you can support the Emmaus House food pantry.

If you’d like your donation to exclusively go toward purchasing feminine hygiene items, on the donation page please add “Period Poverty” in the field asking “What would you like us to know about this gift?”

Iconic architect Frank Lloyd Wright once commented, “We create our buildings and then they create us.” He went on to compare them to our communities, the way we construct our circle of friends and neighbors, and, in so doing, create a sphere of influence that leaves us all changed. Emmaus House is a part of one such circle, and we’re excited to announce that it is growing. 

For the past thirty-five years Emmaus House has worked alongside an educational nonprofit called The Study Hall. Recently, The Study Hall decided to move its operations to the westside of Atlanta. Because the building is owned by the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta, as a mission of the Diocese, Emmaus House will have the opportunity to expand its operations and participate in the building’s legacy of educational support.

This summer, the space will host our CDF Freedom School. This six-week program motivates young scholars to read and develop positive attitudes toward learning. During an average summer, students lose up to two months' worth of learning. That figure has been compounded by disruptions related to the pandemic. The Freedom School helps young scholars avoid the “summer slide” and instead jump forward, sometimes gaining more than a year in functional reading ability over the six-week program.

We’re still working out the ways we plan to use this space, but we’re excited to see the new possibilities it creates for our work. More space means greater impact, and we look forward to sharing this growth with our neighbors.

We’re excited to announce that as of May 1, Rev. Kenya Thompson has rejoined Emmaus House as the Director of Leadership Development and Education. She is no stranger to the work that we do. As far back as 2013, she was consulting on what was then a new program called Youth on the Move. 

Her neighbor and former Executive Director of Emmaus House, Joseph Mole, first convinced her to get involved. From 2015 to 2017, Kenya served as the Director of Leadership Development, overseeing Youth on the Move and the Road Episcopal Service Corps. As an ordained Episcopal priest, she has even served as a deacon at the Emmaus House Chapel.

In addition to her work at Emmaus House, Kenya serves on a number of committees with the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta and chairs the advisory committee at the Church of the Common Ground. These roles connect her to the needs of Atlanta and the world at large, although what excites Kenya most is distilling these insights into her work with specific communities. “We are called to be Jesus’s hands and feet in the world,” she says. To accomplish this she believes we must do as He did and meet people where they are. 

Kenya’s favorite part of working at Emmaus House is the fact that she gets to engage with neighbors every day. Drawing on her experience as an educator and her passion for communities of people, the role fulfills both her hands and her heart. “The opportunity,” she says, “was an answered prayer.”

In her personal time, Kenya finds inspiration in music: attending concerts, festivals, and rummaging through record store bins to add to her growing collection of vinyl. Anything that brings people together. She says that her greatest joys come from loving her neighbors and being there when people take care of one another.