Our Story

The Emory Beacon of Light, Inc. (EBOL) is a not for profit, 501© 3 community development organization. The EBOL was established in 1996 as an outgrowth of the ministries of The Emory United Methodist Church and is a dynamic agent for change in the Brightwood community and the surrounding area. EBOL offers the community a range of services to enhance the economic and social vitality of the neighborhood.

Since its inception, EBOL has collaborated with the community and its partners to,

provide transitional and permanent housing,

immigration services,

a food pantry,

after school programs,

English as a Second Language,

computer training for seniors and adults,

comprehensive services for transient men, women, and children,

broad-based educational programs for youth and adults,

health and recreation services,

crime and drug prevention programs for youth, adults, and seniors, and

business and economic development opportunities for area businesses.

The Transitional Housing Program is an outgrowth of one of the ministries of the Emory United Methodist Church. In collaboration with the Capitol Hill Congregation Based Shelter Program EBOL provides shelter to homeless families 10 months out of each year.

We expanded out transition program to include a Food Pantry which
is opened every Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
to the community at large

Renovation of the Lighthouse and the Clifford house were our second major initiatives. With the support of our Jewish partners YACHAD the Lighthouse has been the home of all EBOL programs and projects. The Lighthouse serves as office space for our current programs as well as space for the transitional housing program.

In 2003 EBOL opened its doors to provide free legal services to immigrants through the Justice for our Neighbors program (JFON) – a program of the United Methodist Church. EBOL-JFON provides free, professional legal services to immigrants. This program help immigrants navigate the maze of rules and laws that affect their lives in the United States.

These programs continue to be a solid base for improving the quality of life for residents of our community.
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In 2005 the EBOL began a partnership with the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) to revitalize the Brightwood area. These activities are designed to support the growth of current and new businesses; build affordable housing for seniors and families, and transitional housing for the homeless.

• Storefront improvement project – to assist businesses to improve their facades,
• Commercial and small business corridor program – designed to strengthen existing businesses and to revitalize the Brightwood community. We have established a Business alliance and the Beacon clean, green safe initiative – which is designed to keep the Brighwood commercial corridor clean, provide jobs and job training to our homeless population.
• A mixed use building project – to build affordable housing for seniors, homeless men and women, and a multi-purpose center
• Crime and drug prevention program – develop educational programs for youth and adults designed to increase the awareness of and reduce crime and drugs in our community.

The EBOL has a holistic approach to community and economic development and acts as a catalyst for systemic change in the Brightwood community and beyond to improve the quality of life for all.