Welcome

Emmaus Inc. is a non-profit corporation founded in 1985 to provide housing and services to homeless adults and families in Haverhill, MA. Over the past 20 years the agency 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 17,000 different children, women and men out of homelessness and forward  toward permanent housing, jobs and independent living. Over 400 volunteers, 150 businesses, 125 churches and synagogues, plus 5,000 additional donors contribute time, services and over $200,000 in private gifts each year to keep the agency’s mission operating.

Agency services include outreach, emergency shelter, meals, counseling, case management, clinical services, substance abuse treatment, referrals, housing search, 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.

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 company launched the agency into the area of affordable housing development. The corporation has developed a total of 65 units of affordable housing, 5 commercial units, and 71 beds for emergency and/or transitional shelter. 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 with disabilities 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). Today Mitch's Place shelters up to 30 homeless men and women nightly and is located in the new George C. Wadleigh Center.

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 the Bethel Program. It offers instruction in computers, office skills, GED, and supportive 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. has specific experience with Shelter Plus Care. The Emerson Street Shelter Plus Care Project provides 12 units of housing to formerly homeless adults with mental disabilities and/or histories of drug addictions. Through this program Emmaus has demonstrated its experience providing outreach, assessment, clinical interventions, counseling and other interventions for homeless individuals.