ABOUT US

In 1990, Lorraine and Ken Wagner,

parents of a daughter with a disability, were inspired to write and send letters to everyone they knew--including family, friends and others--inviting them to a meeting to study, discuss and discern how to better serve persons with intellectual disabilities (mental retardation). As a result of those discussions, and in concert with prayerful reflection, focused planning efforts and a groundswell of activity, Emmaus was formed.

During its first few years, Emmaus operated as a community center in Beechview that provided socials and recreation for special people. Based upon continuing concerns relative to the severe shortage in the Pittsburgh area for quality housing for the population served these early programming efforts, the Emmaus community was incorporated in 1993, and soon thereafter opened its first permanent residential home, the Emmaus House, on the South Side of Pittsburgh.

Welcoming its first resident in 1994, the Emmaus House eventually became home to three additional women. In 1995, a second home, Bethany House (located in Brookline), was opened, and that residence now serves four individuals. In direct response to a growing number of requests for respite care, Emmaus ran a successful Capital Campaign and subsequently renovated and opened a Respite Center adjacent to the Emmaus House, which has now become Jordan House, home to our senior citizen residents. A third Emmaus residence, Tabor House, opened in July of 2002. Located in Dormont, it is home to three people. Two supervised apartments were opened in Mt. Lebanon in 2007, and a dedicated Respite Center was opened in Troy Hill in 2009.

All of our Emmaus homes are based upon a "family model" in which well-chosen members of our staff live in our residence with people we serve. We foster a simple way of life, share our meals family style--and most importantly--share our lives. We work diligently to ensure that our mission is carried out in everything we do.

Lorraine Wagner, co-founder of Emmaus, notes that "the Emmaus Community of Pittsburgh has provided loving service and support to a wonderful and spirited group of special people who have lived with us, laughed with us and inspired us to remain focused on our work and our journey." According to Wagner. "Our Board of Directors, our generous benefactors, and our dedicated employees and volunteers have provided the cornerstone for the success we have enjoyed--and will continue to enjoy--well into the future."