"There is nothing that brings more despair or hurt than to feel unwanted, to be somebody whom nobody needs to count on anymore."

The Emmaus Movement started in France in 1949. The founder was Father Henri-Antoine Groues - or 'Abbé Pierre' as he became known to all.

Abbé Pierre was driven to do something for the many homeless people who were thronging the streets of post-war Paris. His house became the first Emmaus Community and as this valuable refuge filled up, its residents (or Companions are they are now known) had to resort to rag-picking to make ends meet.

A solution that works

From this simple concept a worldwide network of "live/work" Communities has evolved - each one a small social enterprise paying its own way. By the time Abbé Pierre died in January 2007 there were over 400 Communities up and running in around 40 countries ... powerful proof that this solution to homelessness really works.