Emmaus Community of Pittsburgh

Current programs and activities of the Emmaus Community of Pittsburgh: residential program - Emmaus currently operates fourteen permanent homes serving 30 individuals with intellectual disabilities. Emmaus is licensed and monitored by the state office of developmental programs. The Emmaus Community provides 24-hour per day supervision and support for adults with developmental disabilities. When an individual comes to Emmaus, he or she comes for life. Community education and outreach - the Emmaus Community is committed to educating the Community about the needs of adults with intellecutal and developmental disabilities and autism. Emmaus works with individuals and families to access needed services.

Community relations and outreach program. The responsibilities of the director of Community relations include but are not limited to: outreach to develop and promote positive and valuable relationships, both within the Emmaus Community and with the Community at large including businesses, church and civic groups, schools, colleges and universities, volunteers, donors, and others interested in the Emmaus mission; facilitate and attend meetings to advocate for people with intellectual disabilities and autism and promote public awareness of their needs; pursue opportunities for public relations such as top workplaces, Pittsburgh business times, and other outside nominations / survey opportunities; coordinate Community education and outreach efforts including service fairs, speaking engagements, open houses, tours, and other special events; serve as volunteer coordinator - recruit, supervise, and plan all volunteer activity (both with individuals, and with groups including churches, schools, businesses, etc. ); track all advocacy and volunteers activities; create and maintain Emmaus archival / historical information on the agency; organize Community events such as staff retreats, dsp appreciation / recognition activities, volunteer appreciation events, Community nights, celebrations, etc. ; collaborate with Emmaus staff, residents and their families to advance the Emmaus mission; and build relationships with volunteers to cultivate increased donor activity. A total of 44 individuals benefited from the Emmaus Community relations and outreach program during the year.

Community programs include the following activities: home and Community habilitation and companion services - Emmaus provides Community support to individuals living with family or in their own homes. Respite services - Emmaus provides planned short-term stays for individuals with intellectual disabilities and autism when their caregivers need a break or are experiencing a medical situation and cannot care for their loved ones. Respite stays can also be utilized when an individual would benefit from experiencing living arrangements outside the family home. Cultural diversity and outreach -recognizing that lack of knowledge about resources and language barriers were the main road blocks preventing families from finding help, Emmaus created information brochures about our services in eight languages in addition to english. A total of 20 individuals were served in the Community programs.