This past summer the Senior Strollers took a weekend trip to Tuskegee, Alabama to see the  Tuskegee Institute.  

This January, George Lucas released a new movie about these national heroes called Red Tails which we took the Senior Strollers to see.  The following week they shared reflections on the movie and related it to their experience in Tuskegee. One senior started off the conversation by saying that it was a “tear-jerker.” As the conversation went deeper, one Stroller remarked it brought to life the forgotten story of the heroes of the Tuskegee Airmen and their accomplishments.  They reflected how it took too many years for the Airmen to get the recognition that they deserve.  Finally, one Senior commented on what a powerful experience it was being at the actual air field where the Airmen trained and expressed her gratitude for being able to visit such an historic place.  The Strollers got to see some of the planes the airmen flew and parachutes they used.  The Tuskegee Institute also has a museum which the Strollers got to tour.  One senior described the trip to the Institute as “educational and enjoyable.”

Here at Emmaus House we are continually surprised and impelled to do better by our neighbors in Peoplestown. One of the programs we offer is called A Great Start for Parents and Children. It is an eight week program where parents or guardians of young children come together to learn about child growth and development, creating baby smart homes and family traditions and building strong and healthy families.

This past fall we added an anger management component due to feedback from parents in earlier classes. We had a representative from a partnering agency come and teach a course about practical steps to control stress and anger. One of our participants in the fall 2011 class named Shirley Swain runs a pre-K child care center out of her home.  She came to us hoping to pick up some skills that would help her relate to the 3 and 4 year olds she teaches daily. After our anger management class, Shirley asked to take a manual with her and was determined to set a meeting with the parents of the kids enrolled in her childcare, where she would teach them to use these same skills at home.  By teaching and empowering this one dedicated participant, we were able to reach out to parents beyond our own network.

Our Great Start for Parents and Children class is now in its fourth year.  During March and April we are starting a new session and working with a fresh group of parents and guardians of young children.  There are two ways to get involved.  If you are a parent or guardian with children that are infants to age 5, and you are interested in joining, please call 404-525-5948 to register.  We also give away door prizes to our participants and are in need of donations that support healthy parenting. These could be cleaning supplies for parents, books or school supplies for children, or baby items such as diapers or formula. We just ask that the items are new or like new.  If you have donations, please contact Katie Bates at katiebates@emmaushouse.org or 404-525-5948 ext. 25.

We are now accepting applications for five college students to create an intentional, Christian, living and learning community. Interns will support the summer programs of Emmaus House through service work, and engage in opportunities for spiritual growth.  Click here for more information and to submit an online application.

May Helen pictured here during our 2010 Christmas Eve Festival.

Since November the 15^th, our beloved Board Member, Vestry Member, Acolyte Warden, Mrs. Claus and chef for our Community Suppers, Parenting Classes, 7^th Heaven Camp and Sunday Breakfasts, Mrs. May Helen Johnson, has be sleeping with her grown daughter Alison and 7 grandchildren in a conference room at Emmaus House.

One of the most open hearted and long-time members of the Emmaus House and diocesan family, May Helen’s home (where all 9 lived) and all its contents were destroyed by an electrical fire.

We have at long last found a reasonably priced and reasonably large rental home about 3 miles from Peoplestown.  The lease is signed and the 9 mattresses and 1 folding table were moved in today, December 19^th.

Can you help make this house a home in time for Christmas?  Can you help the adults and school children get back and forth to work and school?  Here’s what we need.

If you know someone who could donate or sell (at a very low cost) a minivan, please telephone The Rev. Claiborne Jones at 404.525.5948. This is an urgent need.  If you have household items you could donate, please email Claiborne at claibornejones@emmaushouse.org.  She will send you a list of needed items as of this date and help you connect with Mrs. Johnson for deliveries.  

We are sorry for the delay in getting this notice out, but it seemed important to have a house to take things to, and to know far it would be from schools and jobs,  before asking you to do whatever you can.  Monetary contributions are always welcomed and can be made online by clicking on the donate button to the right or mailed to 1017 Hank Aaron Drive SW, Atlanta,GA 30315 and marked   “For Johnson Fund.”

Merry Christmas and many thanks.

The Rev. E. Claiborne Jones

Director and Vicar