By Something is missing, Sheila Austin thought one day on her way to the grocery store. I feel like my life should have more purpose.
Since retiring, Sheila had realized that despite filling her days with golfing, skiing and traveling, she still felt adrift. As she began examining her life, she acknowledged that over the past 25 years, she had moved away from her faith, and amid the hustle and bustle, she no longer felt the sense of joy and gratitude she once had.
Wanting to reconnect with her faith and renew her spirit, Sheila attended a Mass in 2009, led by a priest new to her Syracuse, New York, community. During his sermon, he urged the congregation to share the message of love beyond the church’s four walls.
After the service, Sheila told the priest that she made sandwiches for homeless men who stayed at a nearby shelter. But when he asked about the men she met through her efforts, Sheila had a realization. By leaving sandwiches out for pickup instead of handing them to each visitor directly, she lacked the personal connection she craved. “That’s the missing link,” she told the priest. “I don’t really have a relationship with any of the people I’m trying to help—I think I need to find a better way to connect!”
Growing bonds of love
Inspired, Sheila recruited a group of volunteer parishioners not only to bring sandwiches to the shelter, but also hand-deliver them to those in need. From this simple act of service, the roots of what would later become the nonprofit Emmaus Ministry began to take hold.
“Making connections is what it’s all about,” Sheila told her volunteers as her heart swelled. The group soon began brainstorming even more ways to help.
Who takes care of their laundry? Who cuts their hair? Sheila wondered, her mind racing with ideas of how to make the biggest impact. As a former nurse, she also envisioned ways Emmaus could expand—even offering healthcare. First, to strengthen their fundraising ability, Sheila officially registered Emmaus as a nonprofit (EmmausMinistry.org). After witnessing the impact their services had on the homeless community, she expanded Emmaus’ resources to serve anyone in need, regardless of income, housing situation or family size.
“Whether they are homeless or not, let’s start helping anyone—no questions asked,” Sheila announced to the volunteers, who agreed this was the best decision. “Everyone should have access to this love and care.”
Spreading hope
Since its early days 16 years ago, Emmaus has mushroomed into an organization with a fully functioning medical clinic and more than 100 volunteers—including doctors, nurses, dentists, dental hygienists and others who help prepare meals, distribute groceries and stock the food pantry—that serve more than 100,000 meals and distribute over 700 bags of groceries annually.
There’s a social worker on hand who helps guests find housing, apply for food stamps and navigate other crises, while the clinic provides health and dental care, as well as free vision and hearing screenings.
Sheila’s small idea to give back has helped save many lives. One recipient of Emmaus’ services used to regularly stop by for meals. He visited the dental clinic with a toothache, which turned out to be caused by a cancerous lump under his tongue. The clinic had the lump examined and removed. “I’m so grateful for your kindness and compassion,” he told Sheila after his appointment.
“This organization changed my life,” one Ukrainian refugee also told Sheila with tears in her eyes after receiving dental work.
Although Emmaus is touching hundreds of lives, Sheila recognizes the profound impact it has had on her as well. “I’m not the same person I was 16 years ago, and I’m so blessed my strong faith allows me to be more open-hearted and see people in need,” she says. “When you’re doing God’s work for people, you don’t have to say anything. It’s an honor to walk them through whatever they need, even if that’s just being present at life’s toughest moments.”
