Emmaus Moves Forward With Campus Master Plan

In 2007, Emmaus announced a three-year strategic plan to revitalize facilities and provide residents with comfortable homes to meet not only their current needs, but also their changing physical needs as they grow older. As part of this plan, the Emmaus Homes Board of Directors has approved preliminary campus master plans.

Concept drawing of campus plan for Emmaus Homes - Marthasville.

Concept drawing of new Emmaus campus home.

Throughout the past year, groups of Emmaus staff, clients and family members have participated in a space needs assessment to help leadership determine and prioritize residential and programming needs and estimate costs associated with the plan. Using this information, architects developed home and site concept drawings for the campus master plan, which will provide accessibility, safety and the highest quality service to Emmaus’ clients.

“We’re investing in ourselves and our future,” said Judy Alexander-Weber, Emmaus’ President and CEO, “We’re going to do this and we’re going to do it right.”

The leadership team felt safety of clients was of primary importance in developing the campus master plan. Therefore, all new residential homes and program spaces will meet current accessibility, fire and safety standards, as well as be earthquake resistant. Facilities will be built for the long-term, using quality construction methods. In addition to client safety, the idea that residences should have a “homey” feel was prevalent in the planning process. The overall campus design is based on a “village” concept incorporating small-scale homes and green spaces. Emmaus’ many historic buildings will be reused as much as possible in accordance with safety and accessibility goals.

“We want our campus to feel like a home, not an institution,” said Alexander-Weber.
“These homes should work for a changing need of clientele. Spaces are being designed with flexibility, so they can meet our needs for decades to come.”

As part of Phase I of the five-phase plan, Emmaus must determine appropriate funding sources, finalize design plans and acquire permits. Once these steps are completed, construction will begin on nine new homes (four at St. Charles and five at Marthasville). The homes, each with six bedrooms, office space and a shared carport, will accommodate 54 residents (29% of Emmaus’ current campus clients).

Emmaus Unveils New Brand

As Emmaus moves forward with our strategic plan to provide the highest quality care for adults with developmental disabilities, it becomes increasingly important for our organization to have an identifiable image within the local community and in communities across the country from which we receive support. Over past months, many staff, board members, families and providers were involved in discussions aimed at identifying and expressing the qualities that make Emmaus the very special place it is. An exciting new brand is the fruit of these efforts.

Our new brand expresses the HEART of Emmaus– our outstanding service, the remarkable people we serve and the devotion we have to our mission. We are “Spirited People Leading Spirited Lives.” We are vibrant. We are alive. We are caring. We are faithful advocates for the people we serve (and the work we do and the people we serve are important). Our new identity expresses that essence for all of us – and the world - to see.

Our strategic plan is centered on revitalization. In the spirit of our mission and vision, we are ensuring the long-term continuity of the organization. We will continue to provide outstanding service with facilities that meet the evolving needs of our residents. Our new brand will help generate the energy and unity needed as we reach out and reach within to fulfill our strategic plan goals of:

• enhancing services to meet the needs of our aging population.
• revitalizing our facilities;
• strengthening the financial health of Emmaus;
• improving quality and reducing risk;
• and enhancing our work environment to emphasize human resource support, staff development and community building.

Emmaus’ Vision states we “will be an outstanding provider of a care continuum, within nurturing communities, for adults with cognitive, intellectual and other developmental disabilities.” This care continuum is what makes Emmaus unique. We are the only agency that attempts to care for the people we serve throughout their lifespan. Enhancing quality of life, for us, means all of life.

As the people we serve grow older, responsible change requires investing in our facilities and services to meet their changing needs. Through focused branding, Emmaus’ vision will be clear to those closest to Emmaus Homes, as well as those newly introduced to our mission. Our new brand represents an energized start as Emmaus addresses the important and exciting challenges ahead.