An Emmaus Community is a unique charity that enables people to move on from homelessness, providing work and a home in a supportive, family environment. Companions, as residents are known, participate in the communities recycling business, collecting, renovating and reselling donated furniture and other items. This work supports the Community financially and enables companions to develop skills and rebuild their self-respect. Companions can live in the community for as long as it takes to rebuild their lives and return to everyday living. Emmaus communities are dry and drug free. A critical part of the Emmaus ethos is that all members of its community should participate in the communities recycling business, thus making the community financially self-sustaining. and not dependant on handouts from others. Emmaus Companions come from many different backgrounds but share a commitment to rebuilding their lives and participating in the life and work of Communities in which they live.