Benevolent Institutions

Emmaus Homes

Spirited People Living Spirited Lives

Charlie is like many of the residents with developmental disabilities served by Emmaus Homes. A mission of the United Church of Christ’s Council for Health & Human Service Ministries (CHHSM), Emmaus provides 24-hour residential care to 250 residents in 40 homes throughout the St. Louis metropolitan area. Like Charlie, many of Emmaus’ residents are over the age of 50.

As Charlie reached his senior years, traditional habilitation programs no longer met his needs. Charlie didn’t like being rushed, and he preferred staying home, rather than getting up for an 8:30 a.m. shuttle to a day program. His days of habilitation services were busy, filled with games, sign language, cooking classes, arts and crafts, exercise, visits to the senior center, shopping trips and volunteering. While all enjoyable activities, if you ask Charlie what he prefers, he would probably say drinking a cup of coffee, listening to music, hearing stories and participating in Emmaus’ pastoral care program “Circle of Friends.”

Charlie is not unique in this regard. Many Emmaus clients are now ready to “retire,” but the system did not have such an option available. Therefore, Emmaus created the Senior & Adult Services (SAS) Program as part of its residential services. This ground-breaking program provides a variety of opportunities to socialize, learn and be active, while letting clients retire from strict daily schedules associated with habilitation programs.

SAS is based on choice. Residents and staff work together to develop individualized schedules based on needs and interests. Clients can choose from a daily calendar of activities at Emmaus’ campus Activities Centers...or they can choose to remain at home with their friends where they can watch TV, listen to music or play games. Staff plan a variety of activities each month, providing opportunities for individuals to maintain existing skills, spend time with friends, enjoy interests and explore new activities.

Part of the SAS Program’s success lies with the many volunteers who come to Emmaus to spend time with the residents and assist with activities. Groups have helped with crafts, organized parties, given haircuts, provided musical entertainment and much more. Volunteers provide Emmaus residents, like Charlie, with a vital link to their community, while giving staff an extra set of helping hands.

 “The hours of service they provide and the one-on-one attention they give to our residents is invaluable,” commented Chris Adams, Emmaus’ Director of Annual Giving who oversees volunteer projects, “Volunteers bring a whole new dimension to our SAS program.”

Individuals and groups interested in visiting Emmaus or with residents can register at www.emmaushomes.org/support-us/volunteer or call 636.534.5218.