Emmais Program Participants' Stories:

- Jessica’s Story

- Erik’s Story

- Javier’s Story

Quotes from Emmaus of Santa Barbara program participants:

"...It's made me care more about myself as a person and be nice to people around me. This program also lets me know that I can be someone in life no matter who's my friend or my enemy. It's made me trust myself and it made me find the best friend I've always wanted and they made me find it in myself."

- Barbara

"...This is the first program I've ever seen that could affect me so deeply. Emmaus just has a way of getting inside of you. It's helped me to trust more easily. Don't take my word for it, try it out for yourself."

- Charles

" I initially only joined the group for the 5 units, but I ended up liking it a lot more than I thought I would. The program all around has helped me in many ways- but I think that it has helped me all around to be a better person."

- Gabe

"It's a great experience. I'd recommend it to everyone."

- Jeanette

"...I grew up in an abusive home, and my mom was an alcoholic, so she was always too drunk to love me the way I wanted her to. But this weekend I have felt a warm feeling that I never want to go away. I had no idea that people would go through all this trouble to make me happy. Nobody has ever done that for me. I just wanted to say 'Thank You'."

- Tracey

" This program is very good for people who cry out for help but don't say anything."

- Jon

"Emmaus provided an environment of love in which I felt safe enough to be open & and to feel comfortable when others were open with me. Only in an environment such as this can a person grow and change."

- Dawn

"My expectations were for me to better myself in school. My expectations were not only met but I got more than that out of it. I got confidence and learned a whole lot."

- Barbara

" I expected a nice camp with no hate and anger. The camp was so full of love and kindness. I learned how to really trust people and life could be so much easier if there was more love."

- Horacio

" This has been the best program that I have ever been in and it really works. I hope this program gets bigger so it can help other people as well."

- Gean