Weekly Update...On The Road to Emmaus Home

 A Week in the Life of Emmaus Home....

                                                       Is pretty amazing!

Our core members and participants have truly been "out and about", as per usual this week.

I thought it would be nice for you to see a sample of our schedule... What's it like to be a core member at Emmaus Home?

Monday:
Our core team visited ShopRite so they could buy food for lunch, then they came back to the Day Program in Aston to prepare something delicious in our kitchenette.

Tuesday:
Dance therapy is a favorite for everyone!

Wednesday:
In the morning we visit out music therapist, and then hand out food at Anna's Place in Delaware County. Anna's place is a Fransiscan organization in Chester that ministers to people down on their luck. They serve meals, teach classes, and help people mind, body and spirit.

Our Emmaus Home core members go there weekly to volunteer and give back to the community.

Learn more about Anna's Place here.

After that we all went to The Ritz 5 Theater in Philadelphia to see the long-awaited documentary about L'Arche founder, Jean Vanier, and his communities all over the world.

This was a deeply moving and beautiful film, and everyone should see it. I can only describe it as a slow journey through life with Jean and his friends. It doesn't have suspense, action, or much drama, just beauty and love.

If you have a loved one with a disability and you'd like to give family or friends a glimpse into your world, please share it.
Watch the trailer, then go see for yourself!

Thursday:

Thursdays are spent at the John Heinz Wildlife Refuge, not a bad place to be in this beautiful springtime!

Friday:
Art therapy begins the day, followed by a trip to the mall to practice our shopping skills, followed by lunch at a restaurant.

It's a beautiful life at Emmaus Home!

Emmaus Home Core Member Nick Steals the Show With His Talk 

at Philadelphia City Hall in Front of Hundreds of People!

A panorama shows the crowd at the opening celebration of the art show.

As part of the opening celebration for the Philly Autism Project Art Show at City Hall, Emmaus Home core member Nick spoke about his experience with art and what it meant to him.

Public speaking, especially for such a large crowd- could be a challenge for any of us, but Nick absolutely stole the show and blew everyone away!

Of course it was ambitious to have a core member with Autism speak in front of a large crowd, I think many of us involved were nervous in the weeks leading up to the event. However we kept Nick's best interest in mind- always mentally prepared to say, "This won't be beneficial for him, he cannot speak at this time." However he was very excited, and the performer in him came through!

The takeaway for me was about limitations. Along the way, we were all nervous, thinking, "Can he do this? Are we putting too much pressure on Nick?"

Of course, we gave Nick the option and free will to decline, but he was happy to do it. He knew he could back out at any time, but he also knew he had our support. We helped him write his speech, helped him practice, and encouraged him.

After the speech, his family were so appreciative that the Emmaus Home staff intuited that he could do this.

This is what sets Emmaus Home apart - we do not set limitations that do not have to exist. We want our core family members to achieve their greatest potential, all they need is opportunity and support.

Nick, along with fellow Emmaus Home core member Kevin, both had their artwork featured in the art show. Their work is encased in glass, along with the exceptional work of many other artists with intellectual disabilities, at City Hall now through April 27.

We could not be more proud of both men, and it was a very positive experience for all!

For more information visit Philly Autism Project Art Show Website by clicking here.

It's definitely worth a trip!

Kevin at the YMCA

At Emmaus Home we try to make regular exercise a priority. According to the Autism Society, a program of exercise and fitness is important on so many levels. To quote:

From an educational and life skills perspective, our job as parents, teachers and professionals is to regularly identify an individual’s areas of need and address them in the most adaptive way possible. There is a reason so many students have difficulty in a standard classroom setting. The focus on taking tests rather than “learning how to learn” leads to skills that are not necessarily applicable to future needs and goals. For fitness programing, my hierarchy tends to look something like this (in order of importance):

1. Develop, maintain and enhance movement skills
2. Pair exercise and physical activity with reinforcement to ultimately make the activities themselves fun and part of a lifestyle
3. Increase initiation and creativity skills through exposure to various modalities of exercise (different equipment and activities)
4. Support socialization through small group activities that include elements of teamwork and helping behaviors

For those with autism who often have difficulty attending to a task for durations longer than 10 or 20 seconds, creativity and socialization behaviors are not an immediate goal. It is far more. (Read more.)

To help our work with God's children at Emmaus Home, please donate HERE. May the Lord reward with eternal life all who do good to us in His Name. 

Philadelphia Autism Project Art Exhibit

The art works have already been submitted but the show is open to the public. Emmaus Home will be there. From the Philadelphia Autism Project:

 In honor of Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, the Philadelphia Autism Project is launching the first collaborative art show Philadelphia: A Spectrum of Experiences.  Artists of all ages from the autism community in Philadelphia and surrounding counties are invited to submit for inclusion in the March – April 2018 exhibit.  This inaugural event is aimed at recognizing the talent of individuals with autism and increasing awareness of autism within the Philadelphia community. (Read more.)

Mass for Persons with Disabilities

From the Archdiocese of Philadelphia:

The Annual Archdiocesan Eucharistic Liturgy with Persons with Disabilities, The Deaf Community, Family, Friends and Caregivers: This annual Liturgy is held once a year at the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul at 18th and Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia. Archbishop Charles Chaput, Archbishop of Philadelphia is the principal celebrant and homilist.  A light reception is held following the Mass.  All are Welcome. Save the date. This coming year the Mass is scheduled for March 24, 2018.  We encourage parish participation and individuals/parish groups to volunteer in assisting with all aspects of the Mass and reception. (Read more.)

Summer in the Forest

We at Emmaus Home love the 2017 film Summer in the Forest. From the film's website:

Like countless others Philippe, Michel, Andre and Patrick were labeled 'idiots', locked away and forgotten in violent asylums, until the 1960s, when the young philosopher Jean Vanier took a stand and secured their release - the first time in history that anyone had beaten the system. Together they created L'Arche, a commune at the edge of a beautiful forest near Paris. A quiet revolution was born. Now in his 80s, and still at L'Arche, Jean has discovered something that most of us have forgotten - what it is to be human, to be foolish, and to be happy.

SUMMER IN THE FOREST invites us to abandon the rat race and forge new friendships. Amid the ancient trees, Philippe, Patrick, Jean and the others welcome us into their lives. If there are rules to break, they will be broken and if there is a truth to be told, they will tell it. Michel reveals his war torn past, Andre is desperate for a date, and young David will prove himself a hero in the fight against the forces of evil. (Read more.)

Opening Doors

From Tech Inclusion:

Another area is accuracy; accurate information is vital if you are a traveler with a disability. I have Spinal Muscular Atrophy and have very specific needs when it comes to traveling, which I communicate clearly. Yet it can still be incredibly difficult to find accessible places to stay you can trust. For example, property owners have told me their apartment is step-free, but forget about the small step up to the front door — which my wheelchair can’t ignore. My team will focus on developing new policies and features to ensure accessibility information is as accurate as possible.

And we won’t stop there. I want to make sure that accessibility is at the heart of every element of our company and our community, whether it’s accessible experiences or any other new specially adapted product.

Moreover, we’ll use our global resources to cater to people with disabilities beyond mobility, working closely with every community to ensure our platform is welcoming to as many people as possible. Lastly, we’re committed to making sure that Airbnb is a great place to work if you have a disability, and will be launching new initiatives to increase the number of applicants with disabilities.

It is a bold, ambitious agenda, and a necessary one. Even 25 years after the UN International Day for Persons with Disabilities was declared, we remain in the early stages of a tectonic shift in how people with disabilities are treated. We cannot allow another generation to pass without fundamental change. (Read more.)

Emmaus Home at the Franklin Institute

Emmaus Home recently had an exciting outing to the Franklin Institute. It is important for our adults to be in a such a fabulous learning environment with others to practice social skills and increase the thirst for knowledge.

To help our work with God's children at Emmaus Home, please donate HERE. May the Lord reward with eternal life all who do good to us in His Name.

Ben Franklin

The Franklin Institute

The Giant Heart

Night to Shine

Friday, February 9th - 7:00pm
St. Malachy - Actors' Chapel
239 West 49th Street

Register HERE.

Night to Shine is an unforgettable prom night experience, centered on God’s love, for people with special needs ages 14 and older. On one night, February 9, 2018, more than 500 churches from around the world will come together to host Night to Shine for approximately 90,000 honored guests through the support of 175,000 volunteers! - Night to Shine Website

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Watch Last year's highlights here.

Holiday Memories

Emmaus Home had a wonderful trip to Philadelphia where we visited the Christmas village at city hall. The holiday season may be over but the joy our men and women bring is something that lasts all year long!

Kevin and Martin Receiving Gifts!

Kevin

Kevin and Martin of Emmaus Home are recipients of the Christmas Giving Tree at Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in Media, PA! We wish to thank Fr. Bell and his parish for this great honor!

To help our work with God's children at Emmaus Home, please donate HERE. May the Lord reward with eternal life all who do good to us in His Name.

Martin

At Longwood Gardens

Patrick, Martin and Nick at Longwood Gardens

Emmaus Home Day Program visited Longwood Gardens today for a brisk walk around the lovely, festive displays!  Longwood Gardens participates in the Access Program which enables our participants entrance using their access cards - a TREMENDOUS DEAL - and savings. We are very grateful for the opportunity this program provides for us!

 For more of Longwood Gardens, visit their blog, HERE.

 To help our work with God's children at Emmaus Home to continue, please donate HERE. May the Lord reward with eternal life all who do good to us in His Name.

Ribbon-cutting at Emmaus Home

Anne and husband Larry get ready to cut the ribbon!

Our ribbon-cutting ceremony at our new facility was Saturday. It was a happy, festive day and we look forward to a bright future. We thank all of the friends who made it possible! Our new Day Program is located at 2989 Dutton Mill Road, Aston, PA. For more information contact us at 484-490-5623.

We're officially open for business!

To help our work with God's children at Emmaus Home to continue, please donate HERE. May the Lord reward with eternal life all who do good to us in His Name.

The Holidays at Emmaus Home

Nick and Grandmom

Anne at the Polar Express

Anne with State Representative Tom Killian

It's cold and snowing in Pennsylvania but at Emmaus Home there are warm hearts and happy times. And our work for adults with intellectual disabilities goes on. Christmas is coming and we need angels to pray for us at Emmaus Home, and help in any way they can, so that we may continue to offer shelter to God's vulnerable ones. Offerings in the name of the Child Jesus are accepted HERE. May God reward you! And may He reward with Eternal Life all who do good to us in His Name!

Marty Hugs Mrs. Santa

Anne with Emmaus Home treasurer Bob Moore

Christmas Party with the Third Order of St. Francis

Our local community of Third Order Franciscans invited Emmaus Home to their annual Christmas Party. Everyone had a wonderful time.

At the North Pole Express

It's snowing in the Philadelphia area. Caitlin and Kevin were at the North Pole Express!! It was a chilly but happy time! It is important for our adults with intellectual disabilities to enjoy outings!

Christmas is coming and we need angels to pray for us at Emmaus Home, and help in any way they can, so our work with God's vulnerable ones can continue. Offerings are accepted HERE. May God reward you! And may He reward with Eternal Life all who do good to us in His Name!

December 2017 Newsletter

Our new Day Program is located at 2989 Dutton Mill Road, Aston, PA. It is the perfect location and a beautiful space for our participants. After waiting for its completion and meeting in parks, libraries and nature centers for several months,we are very excited and proud to be in our new program’s home. It features professional administrative offices, reception area and conference room. The ABA compliant facility has a computer lab, kitchen and ADL training area. A bright and spacious creativity area facilitates our Art, Music, Crafts and other group activities.

We now have two residences: one at 601 Vernon Street in Media, PA, and another at 1519 Black Rock Road in Swarthmore PA. They are beautiful, well-appointed homes in safe and welcoming communities. The Media home can house 3 residents with our wonderful house parent, RoseAnna Yap, who has a master's degree in special education from the Philippines, and the Swarthmore home is the residence of two adults and our newest houseparent, Dr. Rafe Martinez Arrue, with a PhD in psychology. The Franciscan Sisters have welcomed the participants of our Day Program to their Tuesday Afternoon Bingo. Every week our guys gleefully yell out their number or “bingo” and the regulars lovingly cheer them on.

Our Advent Season began with the generous gift of Christmas trees from Schmidt's Nursery and Linvilla Orchards. The Christmas trees were duly erected and decorated in Marty and Kevin’s home, the Day Program, and in our Media home. All of our men love Christmas, but Kevin goes crazy over Christmas trees. And the trees were particularly beautiful.

We are having an open house ribbon cutting ceremony on December 15th. We invite everyone to come and join us for beverages and snacks. And join us for our Wednesday Morning Coffee House from 10:00 to 11:00 beginning on December 13, with fresh coffee, donuts and pastries.

Kevin at the Christmas Tree Farm

Schmidt's Tree Farm generously donated Emmaus Home TWO BEAUTIFUL CHRISTMAS TREES!
Thank you!!

Emmaus Home at Malvern

Today was the annual Marian Day at Philadelphia Archdiocese Malvern Retreat House featuring Monsignor John Esseff and Fr. Bill Gaffney!

Emmaus Home took resident Albert there.  He enjoyed the beautiful liturgy and delicious pasta and meatball dinner following!

It was a blessed day on this great feast of Christ the King!  So much to be grateful for!

An Amazing Day in Philadelphia for Emmaus Home

We went by train to Philadelphia. Here we are at the Reading Terminal Market (above)! A great venue for all kinds of eating! We then walked to City Hall, a very lovely old structure, with William Penn, our Quaker founder, on top. Dillworth Park is right outside of City Hall where there is a Christmas village, including a Carousel, ice skating rink and many of vendors selling cool stuff!

Everyone was thrilled with the train ride!