One Million Project is helping ……
One Million Project is helping ……
EMMAUS – Community Accommodation for the Homeless
The first Emmaus community opened in 1992, providing accommodation and useful work to people in communities across the UK. The charity works tirelessly to provide homes for people who have experienced homelessness and feeling left out of society.
Homelessness is a complex problem. The issues that can lead to it are family and relationship conflicts, loss of employment, drug and alcohol addiction and mental health concerns.
Emmaus works to meet the needs of insufficient or economic provision both at state and local government level. The crucial aim of the charity, in this respect, is to offer homes and a sense of being wanted or valued. There are 28 communities across the UK giving 750 previously homeless people the chance of a fresh start. Emmaus hopes to offer 1,000 places by 2020.
Those taken care of by Emmaus are called‘ companions.’ The aim is to put something back into the community which shelters them. The idea is to encourage each companion to be as self-reliant as is possible, regaining a sense of worth, control and dignity. This is working for 82 % of companions who say it is the most useful and beneficial aspect of their experience with the charity.
Some of the work which Emmaus undertakes is the donation of household goods, organizing cafes, house clearances, gardening and clothing shops. Practical skills such as recycling and enhancement of old furniture is also developed as is the recycling and subsequent testing of electrical equipment.
Working in solidarity is an important aspect of Emmaus’ s work to make an impact in the lives of people less fortunate – extending to communities overseas.
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Copyright © 2016 by OMP Magazine Publishing