There is much to celebrate at Emmaus House.

One is its unique initiative to cultivate young leaders by exposing them to real-world challenges and empowering them to drive change.

So as this year’s annual six-month Emmaus House Fellowship program came to a close, we caught up with two fellows, Laurel Wynn and Marcus Cook, to hear about their experiences and future plans.

Laurel shared her determination to strengthen her outreach skills and connect community members with essential resources. Inspired by successful local partnerships, she’s eager to explore similar opportunities, organize job events, and advocate for impactful policies and programs.

“I learned about the importance of providing resources and opportunities to underserved communities and saw firsthand how access to job opportunities can significantly impact individuals’ lives,” she said.

Marcus spoke of his aspirations to organize housing workshops and collaborate with housing support organizations to educate community members about their rights and available resources.

“During my time at Emmaus House, I worked on a housing resource spreadsheet that consisted of affordable apartments, Section 8 housing, and senior living facilities,” he said. “I learned about the housing issues happening in the historic Peoplestown community and discovered the numerous resources the Lokey Center provides to people in the community.”

Both Laurel and Marcus embody the spirit of the Emmaus House Fellowship program.

Five Decades of Service

The Fellowship program is just one example of how Emmaus House has continued to evolve since 1967 when Father Austin Ford, an Episcopal Priest and advocate for civil rights, moved into a dilapidated two-story home in Peoplestown along with two nuns and a seminary student.

Father Ford began Emmaus House’s focus on providing resources to help Peoplestown residents. He set up an after-school program, once-a-month transportation to Reidsville State Prison for family members of inmates, chapel services, hot meals, and a poverty rights office. He led efforts for welfare rights, neighborhood empowerment, and racial justice.

Emmaus House has evolved over the past 57 years into a trusted resource for the Peoplestown community. Its staff and advisory board continue to serve the neighborhood in client-responsive and measurable ways that help families move toward economic self-sufficiency and children succeed in school and create pathways to college and career success.

Built on volunteers

Emmaus House depends upon the dedication of its volunteers like Reverend Derrick Henderson. The Baptist minister is a long-standing figure in the community. For more than four decades He has served others through Emmaus House in various capacities, touching countless lives with his commitment and compassion.

Rev. Henderson said he continues to explore what it means to give back to those less fortunate, constantly asking himself, “How can I help?”

“Emmaus House is the lighthouse on the hill,” Henderson said. And he said ss long as it is, he will be “ready, willing, and able” to serve. Learn about volunteering.

Building Youth

With the new school year underway, Emmaus House is reintroducing Youth on the Move, a program that supports middle and high school students in achieving academic success and exploring future opportunities.

Youth on the Move program manager Rakia Reeves said she is seeking positive and encouraging volunteers to help students with their homework, as well as career and college prep speakers.

Participants say their lives have been redirected by the program.

“The Youth on the Move program has redirected my vision to become successful, and they made me feel comfortable and at home. They helped me mature and keep focused on my goals,” said Quavontaye Scott, a high school senior.

“Youth on the Move has added value to the paths I am taking toward the future. My future started with Youth on the Move,” said senior  Alexis Peterson.

Learn more about volunteering with Youth on the Move and other programs making a difference in the lives of students.

To support Emmaus House’s vital work visit their donation page.

This article was adapted from an Emmaus House publication released on August 13, 2024.