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Update on Emmaus' COVID-19 Response
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MEMA Installs Emergency Tent
at Emmaus
Emmaus and the City of Haverhill, working in partnership with the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), have installed a temporary emergency tent at Emmaus, Inc., which will serve as a place to isolate and screen individuals for COVID-19 seeking emergency shelter.
The permitted lighted and heated 1,100 square-foot tent can accommodate up to 10 individuals and includes handwashing stations and portable toilets. Each bed will have 110-square feet around it to provide safe social-distancing. Emmaus hopes to bring this temporary emergency shelter into operation within the next week.
Emmaus' CEO Jeanine Murphy said since this pandemic began in mid-March, Emmaus has been very concerned about finding a way to quarantine and self-isolate its guests in  the emergency shelter as recommended by the Commonwealth. Adding additional people seeking shelter to its main site, Mitch's Place, without a place to isolate them first, places everyone in a life-threatening situation. The fear of introducing someone into the building who may be carrying the virus is of critical concern for both our guests and our dedicated staff, she noted.
"This is a temporary emergency tent that will allow us to safely quarantine new individuals who are seeking emergency shelter for at least 14 days prior to entering the main facility," Murphy said. "It will be a new normal that will allow for us to provide shelter and essential services without risking the lives of others during this pandemic. This temporary structure is not for COVID-19 positive individuals."
Click here to read the full press release.
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Emmaus to Participate in #GivingTuesdayNow
Haverhill Bank to Match first $1,000 Raised on May 5
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Emmaus will be participating in #GivingTuesdayNow this coming Tuesday, May 5.
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the organization behind #GivingTuesday has created a special global day of giving on Tuesday, May 5. #GivingTuesdayNow is a response to the unprecedented needs that many nonprofits have during this time.
Emmaus is one of those nonprofits. For the past two months, our staff has been on the  FRONT LINE battling this virus, placing themselves in harm's way to shelter, house and care for adults and children who have nowhere else to turn. At the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak, we had projected a $150,000 shortfall through June 30, 2020 due to unforeseen expenses related to increased staffing, purchasing PPE and increased cleaning and sanitation, as well as lost revenue from our canceled spring gala.
But now, we face further shortfalls. We have decided to convert Cycle for Shelter, our biggest fundraising event into a virtual event this summer. The temporary emergency tent we have mounted needs to be staffed, thus causing us additional financial strain.
We hope you will stand with us next Tuesday, May 5, as we participate in #GivingTuesdayNow. Our dear friends at Haverhill Bank have pledged to match the first $1,000 we raise on May 5. We have a modest goal of $10,000 which will help us pay for staffing for the emergency tent. Right now we need the funds to staff the tent and we are exhausting all our resources to find ways to pay for the caring people who will be tasked with making sure our new guests have what they need to stay safe, warm, fed and housed.
Please save the date in your calendars and then click here to make a donation.
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Thank you to our Volunteers!
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Emmaus celebrated National Volunteer week from April 19-25. It was a time for us to pause and recognize the impact of volunteer services on our organization. Emmaus is tremendously grateful for the 500+ volunteers who serve with us each year. Our volunteers help out in a myriad of ways that are pivotal to our success - cooking and serving meals, helping our clients prepare their resumes and search for jobs, picking up donations and distributing food at our weekly internal food bank, and supporting our
fundraising efforts.
Emmaus also thanks the following businesses, individuals and faith communities for their tremendous support during this time. This is just a small listing of all who have come to our need.
Cilck
here to read about our featured volunteers!
We at Emmaus value our volunteers so much that CEO Jeanine Murphy has declared April "Volunteer Month!" Here she expresses her thanks to all who volunteer at Emmaus. Click the photo above to play the video!
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Until further notice, we have instituted new procedures for dropping off donations at Emmaus effective as of April 23, 2020. Thank you for your understanding.
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VIRTUAL Cycle for Shelter
July 1- September 30, 2o20
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July 26 was our originally scheduled date for the 2020 Cycle for Shelter. Due to the COVID-19 health crisis and the uncertainty that this situation brings, Emmaus has decided to transform the 32nd Cycle for Shelter into a
VIRTUAL EVENT.
What does this mean?
All participants will pledge to ride for Emmaus between July 1 and September 30. You can ride them all at once, or you can ride them over the course of the summer. Or you can choose to do your miles at home on a trainer or exercise/spinning bike.
During these times we are all craving community. Please sign up as a virtual rider and automatically become part of our Cycle for Shelter community. Click
here to register!
We hope you will spread the word about our event to your friends and family near and far! Together we can support Emmaus-separately!
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Save the Date for Emmaus' Online Auction and Virtual "Stepping Out with the Valley Stars" event
Monday, June 8- Friday, June 19
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As we announced last month, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we made the difficult decsion to cancel our annual spring gala "Stepping Out with the Valley Stars." But the show will go on--just a bit differently!
We will launch our online auction on Monday, June 8. We have fabulous items donated from many local businesses. The link for the auction will be sent out later this month! Please share with your family and friends!
On Friday, June 12, we will have a "virtual" gala. Relax in your homes, enjoy some special videos of our past events, a special "night-in menu," and some fun surprises! We hope you all will stay in to support Emmaus!
There is still time to donate to our online auction! If you have an item you wish to donate, please contact Margot Regan at
margot@emmausinc.org or at 978-241-3425.
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Spread the Word--Help Raise Money for Emmaus!
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"Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much."
Share our message with your family and friends!
Create a Peer-to-Peer Fundraising Page and share it on your social media accounts.
Thank you in advance for your support!
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