Emmaus Homes has been working hard to respond to the outbreak of COVID-19 (coronavirus). We have a COVID-19 response team that meets daily to review new information and provide direction to our staff to ensure the safety and health of our clients.
Here’s what you should know:
Our commitment to serving our clients remains unchanged.
Emmaus team members continue to provide direct support for our clients, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. I am truly humbled by the extraordinary efforts of our direct support staff members whose work is more critical than ever.
We have limited non-essential visitors to homes. While currently this does not include family members and guardians, we ask that visitors exhibiting signs of illness do not visit their loved one.
While we are not requiring clients to remain in their homes, we are discouraging visits to populated areas including grocery stores.
Our clients have stopped attending day programs and sheltered workshops. We have also suspended Emmaus–related activities including worship services, bible study, Bell Choir, and LINK classes.
We are committed to doing everything we can to keep the clients we serve, their families and our team members healthy and safe.
The continued news about COVID-19 is scary, but we can make choices to reduce our risk and the risk to those around us. At Emmaus, we have made systematic changes throughout our organization – based on recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Infection and the Missouri Department of Mental Health – that includes restricting visitor and client access to our corporate office and requesting non-essential staff to work remotely.
Events have been postponed.
Like other organizations and businesses, we have postponed both fundraising events and client-centered activities. Fundraising dollars remain critical to Emmaus – support from our donors and sponsors help us to provide necessary services for our clients. We hope to reschedule these events when possible.
WE ARE HIRING!
We have more than 700 employees at Emmaus but over 100 open positions. For many years, we have faced a critical staffing shortage, and the COVID-19 crisis has put additional pressure on our frontline employees. If you or someone you know is looking for a job where they can make a positive impact every day, encourage them to apply at Emmaus. We have implemented virtual interviews and are restricting the class size of in-person training to ensure the health and safety of our staff and job applicants. Applicants can apply online at https://emmaushomes.org/careers/.
How you can help.
Support from our donors, event sponsors, UCC churches and many others works to ensure our mission and ministry continues. If you are able, please consider making a gift to Emmaus. Your support is crucial during these uncertain times. You can donate online at https://emmaushomes.org/donate/.
Many of you are likely experiencing shortages in household supplies such as toilet paper, disinfectant wipes, and hand sanitizers. We are experiencing these same shortages. To the extent that you can secure these items, please consider donating them to Emmaus. We are grateful for these critical items and will arrange to pick them up. You can contact us at (636) 534-5200 or by email at info@emmaushomes.org.
Thank you for your continued support and prayers during this incredibly difficult time.
Sincerely,
Cindy Clark
President & CEO