06/01/2026
"How Two Tragic Deaths Inspired More Than 40 Years of Hope"
The roots of Emmaus House can be traced back to a tragic winter in Raleigh.
In December 1983, two men experiencing homelessness died during a severe cold spell. As documented in Emmaus House's history:
“Two men froze to death in 20-degree temperatures. One had climbed into a refrigerator trying to get warm. His name was Snuffy. The second man was found frozen to death, curled up on a school athletic field; his body had been attacked by rats. Consciences were awakened—mobilizing an intent that ‘No one should ever freeze to death for lack of shelter.’” — Jim Hutchby
The following year, a mission group from Pullen Memorial Baptist Church came together to address Raleigh's critical shortage of housing for people experiencing homelessness. In 1986, a large home in downtown Raleigh was transformed into a safe, supportive transitional residence for low-income men working to rebuild their lives.
That home became Emmaus House.
We're proud of our roots and the legacy of service that shaped our organization. Throughout our history, Emmaus House has consistently evolved to meet the diverse and changing needs of our community. Today, our mission is focused on providing recovery housing for men overcoming substance use disorders—offering the stability, accountability, and supportive environment that help individuals build lasting recovery.
More than four decades later, our commitment remains the same: ensuring that vulnerable members of our community have a safe place to heal, grow, and rebuild their lives.
Learn more about our work and impact at https://emmaushouseofraleigh.org/