Site Mission:

The mission of Emmaus House is to provide hope and hospitality to our neighbors in People's Town and beyond. Through a variety of programs for children, adults and seniors, we strive to be the love of Christ incarnate in our immediate community and to form relationships that embody the reconciling love of God.

An integral part of our vocation is also to provide a setting in which members of God's household in the diocese of Atlanta and beyond can share ministry experiences that broaden their understanding of the gospel call to "strive for justice and peace among all people."

About the Site:

Emmaus House is located on a campus of five clapboard buildings surrounded by wonderful gardens, in a historically African American community. We offer after-school tutoring, community arts classes, a three-day-a-week seniors group, a help center for those needing respectful guidance and assistance, an eight week summer camp, Christmas gifts and celebration for neighborhood children, and a monthly community meal.

The help center is called the Poverty Rights Office. It provides vouchers for Georgia Photo IDs and Georgia Birth Certificates. Persons are able to receive mail at this office, including General Assistance, Social Security, SSI checks and weekly checks through Help Group Services. The Office assists in applying for SSI/Social Security Disability and referral to lawyers when needed.

Students can work with the Poverty Rights Office as well as the children’s program and the senior program. Those at the Poverty Rights Office can work during the hours of Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Students can also work with the children's program, and the senior program. The Emmaus House is open Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

Emmaus House also offers placement for seminarians, nursing students and college interns who wish to live, work, listen and learn among the marginalized of our society.

A Student's Perspective:

Renee says: "I worked on Thursday afternoons with both the afterschool program and the Poverty Rights Office. My own sense of ministry was expanded in this experience. I walked around in the community and talked to community members. I heard them ask, 'Why does it take so long for police to come? Why are kids on the streets? We don't have anything for the kids.' Why do the neighborhoods suffer from chronic poverty, gang violence, and inequality? The church has a voice and needs to speak up. Giving away food and clothing isn't enough to address the problem. This experience gave me the courage to speak up about the issues of structural poverty. As Christians, it is our responsibility to advocate for the poor and marginalized. Church isn't just what goes on Sunday morning. It is also what happens in communities. It's our mandate to speak up as well."

Keri says: "The Emmaus House is a caring and proactive force within a community that struggles with poverty, gangs and lack of education. The community in partnership with the Emmaus House has a history of fighting for its rights and caring for its members like a family dedicated to one another. I experienced the importance of helping communities help themselves, rather than trying to come in as a 'savior.' Working in the Muriel Lockey Center also known as the Poverty Rights Office, and the after school program as well as taking the Introductory Arts of Ministry course 'Church and Community Leadership' helped me understand how important social outreach is to my call to ministry. I especially treasure my time working with the After School Program. I was reminded how important it is to be consistent, show compassion, and set boundaries with those to whom we minister. I believe that consistently showing interest and love to these kids was a meaningful and significant ministry experience both for the children and me."