Welcome

Emmaus Inc. is a community-based non-profit corporation founded in 1985 to provide housing and services to homeless adults and families in Haverhill, MA. Over the past 25 years the agency, a certified "Community Housing Development Organization" and "WNPO" (women's non-profit organization), has grown to become a significant service provider and developer of affordable housing, offering one of the most innovative and comprehensive approaches to homelessness in the country.

Since its incorporation, Emmaus Inc. has assisted over 25,000 different children, women and men out of homelessness and into permanent housing, jobs and independent living. Over 500 volunteers, 150 businesses, 175 churches and synagogues, plus 5,000 additional donors contribute time, services and over $300,000 in private gifts each year to keep the agency’s mission operating.

Agency services include outreach, permanent affordable housing, emergency shelter, meals, case management, clinical services, substance abuse treatment, referrals, housing search, GED preparation, adult basic education, English as a Second Language, employment training, life skills, job search, and job placement. Emmaus Inc. has assembled an extensive “continuum of care” that offers solutions to poverty and homelessness, as well as mission of charity and compassion for those seeking our help.

History

In 1986, with support from more than 200 volunteers and 30 faith groups the agency purchased a vacant multi-family property at 105 Winter Street in Haverhill for use as an emergency shelter. In 1986 the organization has developed a total of 83 units of affordable housing, 140 of emergency shelter beds and 20 units of transitional housing. In 1988 a 5,200 square foot structure was purchased and the company converted it into a 13 unit SRO (Gilead House) for homeless adults living with mental illness and substance abuse histories. In 1989 the basement of Gilead House was converted to a 23 bed emergency shelter for homeless adults (Mitch's Place). Since 1998 Mitch's Place has been located in the George C. Wadleigh Center at 127 How Street in Haverhill and shelters 30 homeless men and women nightly or up to 45 individuals during the winter months.

In 1991 Emmaus started the Bethel Transitional Housing Program to develop housing services for homeless families. By 1992 Emmaus had secured two separate sites for housing and an employment training program. In addition Emmaus purchased a 32-unit apartment complex (Columbia Park) and renovated it.

The Bethel Business Center is the employment training arm of Emmaus. The Center is open to all Emmaus clients as well as low-income community members and offers instruction in computers, office skills, life skills, GED, ESL, adult basic education, and support services leading to placement into full time jobs.

Opened in August 1998 the George C. Wadleigh Center is an 18,000 square foot, 4 story facility located on How Street in the heart of the Welcome Street Initiative targeted neighborhood. A new Mitch's Place emergency shelter has been expanded to 30 beds, and occupies 9,500 square feet of service and educational space. Jericho House, Safe Haven and the Bethel Business Center are also located in the Wadleigh Center.

Emmaus Inc. operates and manages a highly successful Shelter Plus Care permanent housing for 29 chronically homeless men and women. Twelve units are located at Emerson Street Housing, six units for women are located at Winter Street Housing, nine units prioritizing homeless elders are located at Evergreen Place, and two units are located at the George C. Wadleigh Center. Through this HUD-funded program Emmaus has demonstrated its expertise in coordinating outreach, assessment, clinical interventions, counseling and other interventions to keep homeless individuals successfully housed in the community.

In 1999, Emmaus began the process of securing funds to convert the Emmaus House shelter at 105 Winter Street into six units of permanent affordable housing for disabled homeless women. The building was renovated and completely occupied by  Dec. 2002. In September 2002, Emmaus opened a 16,000 square foot facility, the Emmaus Family neighborhood. Public and private funding sources along with businesses, Charitable Trusts, and individuals supported the project, including over $350,000 from the "Everybody Matters" Capital Campaign.

In 2005, Emmaus first received federal HOPWA funds (Housing Opportunities for People with AIDS/HIV) to establish a housing information and rental assistance program for people living with AIDS/HIV.