In many areas—and particularly those with a lot of new development—cashless establishments are becoming a popular way of doing business.

WABE reported on the trend recently, pointing out that Mercedes-Benz Stadium has been cashless since 2019 and, since then, many others have followed suit to alleviate operational challenges, address safety concerns, and prevent theft.

More and more business owners are beginning to believe the benefits of going cashless outweigh the additional processing fees.

Access denied

But there are also problems with refusing to accept cash. Major cities such as Philadelphia and San Francisco have banned cashless establishments, as well as the entire states of Massachusetts and New Jersey.

Our cash notes themselves declare that they are “legal tender for all debts, public and private.” Refusing to accept them raises questions of access, particularly for those who—for various reasons—are unbanked.

“According to the FDIC, 6.7% of Georgians are unbanked,” the WABE article observes, “with Black and Hispanic households being disproportionately unbanked compared to white households.”

As a result, we have to ask ourselves: “Do cashless establishments align with our vision of a fair and equitable society?”

Convenient banking

We believe it is important to ensure that unbanked citizens have equal access to goods and services. However, we also recognize there are many benefits to banking and not everyone who goes unbanked does so intentionally. Banks are often located in wealthier areas, and not everyone has the resources to commute or manage their finances online.

For these reasons, we’re proud to partner with PNC Bank to provide our residents with a convenient banking option.

PNC’s Mobile Banking Units (MBUs) are designed to extend essential banking services into low and moderate-income communities. In addition to banking services, MBUs provide financial education for homebuyers and money management strategies to help reduce residents’ reliance on high-fee check cashing and predatory lending.

The PNC truck is on the Emmaus House campus every Tuesday morning from 9:00 am - 11:00 am, offering all the services and benefits of a mobile branch.

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.

In 2018, to commemorate our 50th anniversary, we put together a history walk highlighting milestones from our five decades of service. At the anniversary gala that year, 30 posters lined the reflecting pool at the Carter Center, allowing attendees to revisit significant moments from our history.

Beginning with the Summerhill Riots in 1966 (the year before Emmaus House was founded), the history walk includes the Episcopal Diocese buying the property (1967), the opening of the Poverty Rights office (1970), the launching of the Summers Away Program (1980), as well as many other events that have impacted our work and mission.

The history walk was so popular that, afterward, we decided to create a digital version for our website.

A new chapter

A lot has happened since 2018. We thought that now—5 years later—would be a good opportunity to update the walk to include some of the pivotal events from the past several years.

To take a look at some of those notable moments, click the link below.

Raising children is challenging. It requires time, resources—both financial and emotional—and some degree of stability.

For all of these reasons, raising children can be especially hard in communities that are underserved or have little income. In these cases, the concept of the “nuclear family” isn’t always as useful as the old adage: “It takes a village.” As a result, many families choose to adopt some form of kinship care.

What is kinship care?

Kinship care is when a family member other than the child’s parents acts as primary caregiver. In some instances, kinship caregivers can even be close family friends. In our community and many others, this role is often assumed by children’s grandparents.

Community connection

Federal and state law often requires that family members be given priority over alternatives such as foster care. Kinship care allows children to stay connected to their families, friends, and communities, minimizing disruptions to their education and development.

It’s difficult to overstate the importance of shared culture and values in children’s development. Kinship care allows children to stay connected with the people and places where they are most likely to find understanding, love, and opportunity.

Honoring our caregivers

September 10 was National Grandparents Day, and to celebrate, we want to acknowledge all of those grandparents doing the hard work of raising second or even third generations of family members. Their strength and love don’t just strengthen their families, they strengthen our entire community. Grandparents, we salute you!

The school year has officially begun, and so has Youth on the Move. From August 14 to May 17, middle and high school students will meet after school from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm for academic tutoring and enrichment.

Join the movement

We’re seeking academic tutors in the core areas of math, ELA, and foreign language, as well as career speakers willing to come and talk to our students about their journeys.

Some of the enrichment opportunities we’re offering this year include graphic design, art, boxing, youth empowerment, funtology (cosmetology), college success, and cooking. We’re also planning a number of fun field trips this year.

If you’re interested in volunteering either as a tutor or speaker, please reach out to Program Manager Rakia Reeves: rakia.reeves@emmaushouse.org

We were pleased recently to welcome our Freedom School scholars back from Camp Mikell.

For many years, Camp Mikell has reserved the final week of its season for Emmaus House scholars fresh off of our six-week summer literacy program.

A change of scenery

Owned by the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta, Camp Mikell’s 460-acre campus includes forests, waterfalls, a swimming pool, and plenty of natural bodies of water.

For many of our students, it’s a rare opportunity to get away from the stimulation of city life and enjoy some relaxing fun in a stunning natural landscape.

Filled with gratitude

We’re so grateful to the camp and the Diocese for hosting our scholars. It was an incredible week and a perfect chance for them to unwind before the start of the school year.

We’re blessed at Emmaus House to have an incredible group of volunteers dedicated to our mission. In honor of National Nonprofit Day (August 17), we asked a few of them about their experience volunteering.

What made you want to volunteer with Emmaus House?

“When I retired, I knew that I wanted to give back to the community by volunteering in some way. For years, I listened to Mr. [Greg] Cole speak highly of Emmaus House and all that it does. So I contacted Mr. Cole when I retired and he gave me the opportunity to volunteer at the Lokey Center. That was about 2 years ago and I continue to enjoy working with staff and volunteers who teach me so much, are fun and care about everyone who enters the door.” – Stephanie Sherman

“‘Service is the rent you pay for the space you occupy in this world.’” – Mary Ann Scheider

What is one thing you’ve learned about either our community or our work since you began volunteering?

“I have learned how hard it is for working and poor people to make their way in our country. Many people have jobs, often more than one and still they struggle. People in this community are trying to do their best for their children and families and our society makes that very hard.” – Lisa Dailey

“I enjoy working together with the people coming to the center. Their smiles, often in the face of hardship, give me hope that maybe we can make this strange world a better place.” – Stephanie Sherman

Peoplestown MVPs

We’re so grateful to all of our Emmaus House volunteers. National Nonprofit Day often focuses on organizations, but our work wouldn’t be possible without those who give their time and resources to help make our society a more just and equitable place.

Lokey Help Center Volunteers:

Mark Clark

Mark Lester

Annie Swinger

Colleen O’Rourke

Lisa Daily

Bryan O’Rourke

Stephanie Sherman

Harris Allen

Mary Ann Schneider

Geannette Fuents

Thank you so much to these and our many program volunteers for all that you do. It means the world.

It’s been a busy month here in Peoplestown. In addition to concluding our annual Freedom School program, our executive director, Greg Cole, had the opportunity to attend a special course titled Strategic Perspectives in Nonprofit Management at Harvard Business School. The course took place from July 9 - July 15 and included 150 individuals from fifteen different countries, all of whom are working tirelessly to make this world a more equitable and just place for everyone.

Meanwhile, our Freedom School scholars were also working to make the world a better place. In addition to literacy training, one of the Freedom School’s priorities is facilitating social engagement among youth. We’re so proud of them for taking a stand on behalf of youth everywhere.

Not bulletproof

On Thursday, July 20, our Freedom School scholars participated in a National Day of Social Action called “Health, Hope, and Healing.” Freedom School students from 174 program sites in eighty-eight cities around the country worked to fulfill a core component of the Freedom Schools model: “I will make a difference in my community.”

This year, students focused on the impact of gun violence in their communities and the way it affects their sense of opportunity. Students learned that 4,739 children and teens died from gun violence in 2021 and that Black children and teens were six times as likely to die from gun violence as their white peers. The hashtag for this National Day of Social Action was #youtharentbulletproof.

A tradition of activism

Our scholars marched together around the block in Peoplestown, hoisting hand-made banners and signs before gathering for a short program focused on the impact of gun violence in their lives and communities.

Emmaus House is committed to supporting children and youth on the south side of Atlanta. One of the ways that we do this is by encouraging them to find their voice to speak about issues that affect them. Too many of our children have witnessed firsthand the tragic and needless loss of life that results from gun violence.

Time to relax and unwind

Over forty of our students are at Camp Mikell in Toccoa this week for five days of carefree play. Our investment in our children and youth is possible because of the generosity of our donors and grantors. We believe that our children are invaluable and deserving of our commitment.

Our state has a literacy problem. Two-thirds of Georgia’s third graders aren’t reading on grade level. This milestone is important because third grade is the last year students are learning to read; from fourth grade on, they’re reading to learn and those who haven’t met this benchmark of literacy risk getting left behind by public school curriculums.

A long-term study by the Annie Casey Foundation found that students who weren’t proficient in reading by the end of third grade were four times more likely to drop out of high school.

Finding a way forward

Georgia lawmakers are aware of the problem, having recently passed a pair of literacy bills calling for a major overhaul in how public schools teach reading. But while these bills acknowledge the gravity of the crisis, they seem to place all of the responsibility on schools without making any provisions in terms of funding (in Mississippi, a similar bill cost $15 million to implement, and Georgia has roughly four times the number of students).

Shared responsibility

While it’s heartening to see Georgia lawmakers focus on this issue, the answer isn’t just increasing demands on an already-overburdened school system. In addition to providing them with resources, we must be willing and able to pick up the slack in our communities.

Our partners at the Get Georgia Reading campaign have established a four-pillar framework designed to get children reading by the end of third grade.

The framework emphasizes:

• “Language Nutrition”

• Access to Resources

• Positive Learning Climates

• Teacher Preparation

In addition to outlining the framework, they also provide information and resources for how to implement it in schools as well as community-based programs like ours.

At Emmaus House, we’re proud of the impact our educational programs have had on childhood literacy in our community, but if Georgia is going to move forward, we need more programs, more funding, and more holistic approaches to ensuring our children have what they need to succeed.

Learn more about the Get Georgia Reading campaign.