"Hello. My name is Kevin and I live at Emmaus Homes. I live at Bruere House. I have my own room with a TV and a place to read. I have lots of friends at Bruere House. Jim is the home manager and works in the office. He is a very good friend of mine. Ron is one of my best and dearest friends. Kevin is next door.

 I like to visit with my friends. I like to go to Allrich House and visit my friends Nancy, Cap, Jim and Stacey. This summer Bruere House had a summer party. All of my friends came. We had bar-b-que and listened to music.

I like to read. We have a book club. My friends come and I tell stories to them. I like reading to my friends. I also like to play games in the Day Room and go to Circle of Friends. I go to Aquability to get together with my friends for swimming exercises. That’s my kind of sport.

There are a lot of things to do at Emmaus and I have lots of friends at Emmaus."

"Where else can you go that, no matter what, you are loved unconditionally - just because you care? If you are having a bad day, one of the people we serve comes up to you and gives you a hug, and your day automatically becomes better. The good feelings and sense of accomplishment I feel from working with our residents goes beyond measure. I have the extreme pleasure of working in a fun, social and loving environment. I get to see the smiles on the faces of the people we serve, to hear their laughter when someone jokes around with them, to see the happiness it brings to them when you take the time to listen to what they have to say, to hear about their life experiences and memories, to get to know their families and to know that they trust you with every part of their life."

"We have basketball practice in Marthasville. I get to go shopping in Washington and to church in Dutzow. I go to the YMCA. We have community night once a month where we do kareoke, puppet shows, dances, BINGO and concerts. In the summer, we eat supper with the work campers. I go camping and to the Heifer Project Ranch (to volunteer). Founders' Day is really neat. The Bazaar is fun, too. Emmaus means a place to work, choir trips, Special Olympics, Nature Club, rec center nights, camping, movie nights, a place to live, a home and friends."

"I just want to thank you again for setting up such a successful service opportunity for our youth. We weren't sure quite what to expect or what each of the youth would be doing, so I know they were somewhat apprehensive at first. But, after they began, I saw them open up more and more. There was great interaction between the youth and the residents. They found the residents funny and enjoyable. They grew in respect and compassion. They grew in empathy. You did a great job with your presentation on the values of Emmaus Homes and the work that goes on there. Thank you for letting us come and be a part of the great work there."