Founder and CEO

Joy Junction Inc.

Joy Junction is typically thought of as being a homeless shelter, a place where needy people can find a place to stay and enjoy a warm, nourishing meal.

While that’s very important, there is much more than just that going on there.

While we shelter, feed people and provide an array of other services, we also offer a nine month faith-based life recovery program called CIPP, standing for Christ in Power Program. CIPP participants are taught the skills they will need to reenter and succeed in the work place.  They’ll learn, for example, anger management, healthy eating habits, coping skills, resume writing and a variety of other important tools.

A few weeks ago, we had a ceremony for 13 program graduates. Some of them shared how the program had touched their lives.

Larry Jo said the graduation ceremony gave him a feeling of respect and more. He added, “Also, when doing something to better myself, not to give up, always go forward and if it is hard to continue what I started. Now that I have graduated, I know I can achieve and accomplish what is hard.”

Rima said, “Graduation meant (seeing) a … number of people working together to reach a goal; to (overcome addictive behaviors). She said the other program participants and God helped her successfully graduate the program.

Traci said graduation was very important for her, as it was only the third time in her life that she had successfully followed through to the conclusion of a goal.

“It meant a sense of accomplishment,” she said. “Going through this nine month program, completing it and graduating made me feel like I can accomplish anything I set my mind to.  It also gave me a sense of pride because I saw my friends and family’s faces and knew that they were proud.”

Traci said it wasn’t an easy program. “There were many times I wanted to quit.  But I stuck it out and made it through.  So going through this graduation helped me realize what a strong person I have become.  I stuck it out for nine months, and I am a better person today because of this program, and the staff here at Joy Junction.”

Our other life recovery program participants who have yet to graduate were also in the audience. The ceremony touched them.

Mike said when he graduates it will mean “the completion of a goal and the beginning of a new phase in my life.”

He added, “Dr. Reynalds has found a way through our Lord to make Joy Junction a shelter every other (mission) in America should emulate.  The CIPP program has not only saved me but changed my life completely.  For someone who has been agnostic his entire life to be saying what  I say now about my belief in Jesus as my Lord and Savior proves that if you want your life bad enough, this program works.  You just have to want it and have a little faith.”

Leona said when she graduates our life recovery program, she will have “the knowledge and resources to continue on a path of sober living and a change of life style.”

She added, “Also, completing the 12 step program will help me earn the respect of my children as they are also hurting as a result of a broken family and separation.  This will help my marriage and getting my family back together.”

Elizabeth said that graduation for her will mean “my heart and soul have been filled with the love of God.”

She added, “ I will be able to accomplish anything that I set out to do.  Being empty like before, the responses from finding a job, to talking to people always seemed to be on the negative side.  Now I will feel like I can face and conquer the world with my head up and a smile on my face.

My Take

The graduation ceremony was a wonderful experience, and one in which God’s Presence and blessing was evident. Would you pray for all of our graduates, as well as those who are still making their way through the program?

Tel: (505) 400-7145

(Albuquerque) Superbowl Sunday will be a very special time for guests staying at Joy Junction, Albuquerque’s largest emergency homeless shelter. From 2 p.m., shelter guests will be joining, quite literally, the rest of the nation as they root for their favorite team.

In addition to taking part in all of the Superbowl fun, Joy Junction will provide an array of snacks for shelter guests that will include nachos, chicken wings, along with beverages.

Joy Junction Founder and CEO Dr. Jeremy Reynalds said he thinks it’s very important for the homeless to be able to celebrate special events. “They see everybody else having a good time and they need that same opportunity. It really plays a big part in helping people get back on their feet.”

Founder and CEO

Joy Junction Inc.

It’s hard enough being homeless. When you’re robbed of the possessions you do have and the few dollars you might get for a day’s labor, that just adds insult to injury. Sadly, we’re hearing reports that’s happening.

When our staff first heard about these incidents, we assumed that it was random street violence. But then we heard these attacks were apparently being carried out by non homeless individuals driving, in some cases, reasonably nice vehicles.

With that in mind, I asked Lisa Woodward, our transportation manager, to  investigate. Lisa drives second shift and a couple of graveyards for us and has an “ear to the ground” about what’s occurring on the streets. Lisa began what she dubbed a “week long information scavenger hunt.”

Lisa said, “I have lived among and worked with the homeless population for almost eight years, and have seen the homeless and myself been treated with disdain, disrespect and cruelty. However I never saw that we would be targets in what boils down to a hate crime.”

Lisa explained what she meant. She said she started digging a bit into these crimes, which apparently happen quite frequently on the streets of downtown Albuquerque.

Lisa said everyone she spoke with who had been a victim made a comment that the perpetrator said something like, “You’re homeless anyway; not like you have to pay rent with this money.”

Lisa said, “This made my heart skip and I walked back to the van, feeling rage I hadn’t felt in years.”

Lisa said she continued on her route, and something kept pulling her to go see “Chapo.” Lisa said something about Chapo draws her to him. She said he’s lived on the streets for close to 30 years.

Lisa said she is unsure of  his exact age, but she would guess him to be in his late 80′s. “He is a gentle and calm spirit who cannot function in mainstream society. He asks for little and to those that live around him, he gives all.”

Lisa made her way into the alley where Chapo has his pop up house, and tapped on the side. She said Chapo appeared and  invited her in. To her surprise, he was eating a hamburger. She looked at the meal he was appearing to relish.

Lisa said, “He caught my glance and smiled back, explaining that sometimes the restaurant nearby would let him sweep the parking lot for a meal. I asked him if I could ask a few questions while he ate. He said, ‘Of course, Miss Lisa. Why is your heart heavy tonight, child?’”

Lisa said she asked Chapo if he had heard of these crimes, if they were something new, and if he had ever been attacked. He said he had heard of them, but he had not been a victim. He told Lisa he was the “wrong homeless class to be rolled by them.”

Lisa said, “My head cocked, and I said, ‘Chapo, homeless is homeless.’ He said, ‘No, child. Homeless is not homeless.”

Lisa said she gave Chapo a cigarette, and waited for him to continue. He told Lisa there are three “classes” of homeless people.

“There are the homeless that you and Joy Junction primarily serve,” Chapo said. “They have fallen on hard times, have abuse problems, or are ‘system homeless.’ Their parents never really stood on solid ground nor their parents before them, so they were never given the skills to keep a job, pay rent, car payments and do all the other things (necessary for) life.”

Chapo said there are also what he called “warrior” homeless. They’re in small time drug sales, drink a lot and are in and out of jail. Some, he said, are gang members. They want to stay under law enforcement radar.

Then, there are “street homeless.” Chapo said, “That is me, Miss Lisa. Now don’t get me wrong. I have been known to have whisky to help keep this old body warm and will say here and now I will use it again, but only when available.”

He smiled and continued. “Lisa, my people don’t come out in the day, and at night we are vapors, the shadow you thought you might have seen. I don’t panhandle and I don’t steal. I sweep here for food and there for smokes. I receive social security, and a little from the veterans. It pays for my medication and propane for my stove. I walk to Tingley Beach, and fish when I get hungry for my mama’s fish and chips. My class of homeless does not exist.”

Chapo told Lisa  the homeless served by Joy Junction are hated by those individuals just getting by.

He said, “These ‘rolls’ are hate crimes. The people who function everyday through a shelter are tagged by those who just hocked their car title to pay the rent or buy food. They know (your) homeless will be fed, pay nothing to sleep warm and take a hot shower. Miss Lisa, they feel (your) homeless have more, and it is given to them.”

Lisa said the sky had begun to brighten as she looked at Chapo with tears in her eyes.

She said, “I told him he did exist, and was a very special soul. I handed him the rest of my pack of cigarettes and hugged him, promising I would see him soon.”

As the sun came up, Lisa drove back to Joy Junction, her mind teeming with what she had heard.

Lisa said, “The misconceptions about the homeless have always (bothered) me, but I had not felt anger like this since I encountered a man at a convenience store who recognized me from Joy Junction and asked how I could sleep with a bunch of dirty bums.”

Lisa added, “I implore those who see us downtown or anywhere, flying a sign or sitting on the corner waiting for the day to go by. Before you judge us, come to Joy Junction and take a tour. See what our reality is.”

She continued, “No, we don’t have to pay … but the lights will come on at 6:00am and there is NO snooze button to hit for just 15 more minutes. There is no stretching and wandering to the kitchen for a cup of coffee in your robe. With their daily struggles, many see no hope. Suffering a vicious attack can  be the final indignity.”

My Take

As the mainstream media say in some of their reports, some of the facts contained in this story have not been independently verified. But that notwithstanding, the charges are horrible enough to merit an investigation. Until (or if) that happens, please pray much for our city’s homeless.

By Jeremy Reynalds, Ph.D.

Founder and CEO

Joy Junction Inc.

Joy Junction is typically thought of as being a homeless shelter, a place where needy people can find a place to stay and enjoy a warm, nourishing meal.

But there is much more than just that going on there.

Graduates Addressed by Chaplain Gene Shiplet

While we shelter, feed people and provide an array of other services, we also offer a nine month faith-based life recovery program called CIPP, standing for Christ in Power Program. CIPP participants are taught the skills they will need to reenter and succeed in the work place.  They’ll learn, for example, anger management, coping skills, resume writing and a variety of other important tools.

Just a few days ago, we had a ceremony for 13 program graduates. Some of them shared how the program had touched their lives.

Glenda said graduation meant a lot to her, and that the program is “great.”

“As soon as I joined the program, God helped me accomplish so much … The most amazing, most happy moment was having done the whole program, with sobriety, the good book, as well as my family and Joy Junction.  I was so happy and excited … I am so thankful for a second chance and the many chances I have had.  I can move on with my life and … clean the skeletons out of my closet.”

Jamie said, “Graduation meant a lot to me because I learned a lot about myself and other people.  I was told my whole life that I was slow, lazy, worthless, no good and for a long time I thought so myself.  When I came to Joy Junction I was lost, confused and hated the world.”

That all changed when Jamie entered the program. “Graduating was the first real thing that I stuck with and finished.”

Jamie said as a result, “(I am) the person God wants me to be, and that means a whole lot to me.”

Jerome said his graduation meant to him he is closer to God.

He added, “Even though I don’t have a problem with drugs or alcohol, I do have a problem with anger and not knowing as much as I should about the Bible and God’s word for us as humans and His children.  The 12 steps helped me know about the power of God’s love and that He will always be there for me. God is truly the only way to go.”

Danny said his graduation instilled in him a great feeling of accomplishment and a much more positive outlook.

Danny’s volunteer program assignment was working on our mobile feeding unit, the Lifeline of Hope.

He commented, “Working on the Lifeline gives me a great feeling of calmness in my heart; to be able to help others and give back what Joy Junction has done for me.  My sobriety has never been better. Thanks to my (Tyndale House) Life Recovery Bible, along with Joy Junction’s CIPP Program. Thank you with all my heart, and God bless Joy Junction for believing in me.”

Charlotte said her graduation meant she could achieve her goals. She added, “I can’t recall many times I’ve started something with a plan and stuck to it no matter what.  I’ve completed the 12 steps, 1-12. I’ve not only completed them; I worked them thoroughly. Thank you for letting me know, ‘I do matter. I can do it.’”

Our other life recovery program participants who have yet to graduate were also in the audience. The ceremony touched them.

Craig said, “It was a wonderful time of celebration and growth.  I hope to be ready when I walk across that stage, and I hope that this program’s impact will be the same. At times, I feel very close to God, and that I am almost ready.  At other times, I feel so far away.  (Chaplain) Gene helps me keep on the path, (though).”

Michelle said she really enjoyed the ceremony and was happy for all the graduates.

She said, “When I joined (the program), I didn’t know anything about Jesus but now I have learned a lot, especially when (Chaplain) Gene comes in to teach us.  I look forward to when it is time for me to complete this program.  I’d like to send a copy of my diploma to my probation officer … showing that I completed my A.A. classes.”

Very poignantly she continued, “I pray that maybe my family will be proud of me that I have done something with my life, and I hope someone will come to my graduation when I finish.”

Jill said graduating will be a great accomplishment and mean a lot to her.

She said, “Since I came to Joy Junction, the CIPP program has helped me a lot with my recovery. It has also helped me start moving forward on asking my family for forgiveness.  Without CIPP,  I would still be living my old life and probably wouldn’t be … able to celebrate a year sober.”

Shelly said graduation will show to her that she stuck with something through to the end and didn’t give up.

She added, “Graduation will show my kids there is so much more to the program than just somewhere to stay.  I used this place to help me learn the way of God, the way to put faith in our lives and to put faith in me.  Graduation will show that I am not alone in this world, that other people are here to find themselves and find their way. (I) believe that God is real and is helping every one of us one day at a time.”

Andrew said graduation will highlight his commitment to remain sober.

He added, “Would I change anything about the program? No!  Graduating is just the first step on the staircase to success.  Living the rest of my life for God … would be truly rewarding.”

My Take

The graduation ceremony was a wonderful experience, and one in which God’s Presence and blessing was evident. Would you pray for all of our graduates, as well as those who are still making their way through the program?

Below are the links to the individual notes for gift certificates being auctioned.

Please click on each link for information on the individual gift certificates.

Bidding in increments of $5.00.

Only bids in the comment section beneath each gift certificate note will be accepted.

Bidding ends Sunday, 01/22/2012 at 11:59 pm.

MARCELLO’S CHOPHOUSE GIFT CERTICATE

https://www.facebook.com/JJABQ?sk=notes#!/note.php?note_id=10150500978462057

66 DINER GIFT CERTIFICATE

https://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=10150500996457057

CASHMERE ROUGE SPA GIFT CERTIFICATE

https://www.facebook.com/JJABQ?sk=notes#!/note.php?note_id=10150500993737057

MR. CASUAL’S SUITS UNLIMITED GIFT CERTIFICATE

https://www.facebook.com/JJABQ?sk=notes#!/note.php?note_id=10150500991052057

ARTICHOKE CAFÉ GIFT CERTIFICATE

https://www.facebook.com/JJABQ?sk=notes#!/note.php?note_id=10150500985977057

Enjoy!!!

Tel: (505) 400-7145

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.  Joy Junction is typically thought of as being a homeless shelter, a place where needy people can find a place to stay and enjoy a warm, nourishing meal.

But its founder and chief executive officer said there is much more than just that going on at the well-known faith-based ministry.

“While we shelter, feed people and provide an array of other services,” Dr. Jeremy Reynalds said, “we also offer a nine month faith-based life recovery program called CIPP, standing for Christ in Power Program. CIPP participants are taught the skills they will need to reenter and succeed in the work place.  They’ll learn, for example, anger management, coping skills, resume writing and a variety of other important tools.”

Thirteen of Joy Junction’s guests have completed the requirements necessary to graduate from CIPP, Reynalds said, and to celebrate that accomplishment, there will be a ceremony at the shelter’s 4500 Second Street location on Wed. Jan. 18 at 7 p.m.

Reynalds said, “This is a significant milestone for our graduates. In fact, for some of them it is probably the first thing of any significance that they have undertaken and successfully accomplished. We need to recognize them for this fact. I hope the community will come and join us in this celebration.”

Reynalds said the skills offered in the shelter’s CIPP program are vital to help homeless and addicted people get back on their feet again.

“Homeless people are not typically unskilled in areas needed in the job market,” he said. “However, many times for a number of reasons they lack the life skills necessary to keep a job or to persuade an employer to hire them.  We do our best at Joy Junction to help our program participants succeed and be all that the Lord intended them to be.”

Reynalds said a faith-based approach is an essential part of Joy Junction.

He said, “We require accountability and changes in behavior. Our guests know that drugs, alcohol abuse, lying and other life controlling behaviors have helped them become homeless. However, we tell our program members that they don’t have to change on their own. We let them know about the redemptive love of the Lord Jesus Christ, and help them assess the circumstances present in their lives that resulted in their descent into the homelessness or addiction.”

For more information go to www.joyjunction.org

Founder and CEO

Joy Junction Inc.

A Night on Albuquerque’s Streets

Once homeless, the situations regularly observed by Joy Junction Transportation Manager Lisa Woodward still break her heart.

The weekend following New Year’s 2012, Lisa was pulling the graveyard shift. It was around 24 degrees. She arrived at an area usually frequented by sleeping homeless people.

Lisa said as she walked up with blankets and food, there was a teenage boy sitting next to a lady who Lisa guessed to be in her mid 50′s. The youngster was shaking from the cold middle-of-the-night temperature.

“I put hot water into a cup of soup and handed it to him,” Lisa said. “I ran back to the van and found a jacket that would fit him and a cocoon sleeping bag.  I sat next to him and (listened).”

The teenager told a sad story. He said his grandma wouldn’t let either he or his mom stay with her because his mom was “useless.”

The young man continued his story and said his grandma had let the two of them stay with her for three days that year, but no more. His mom’s van, he said, had been towed in their absence and now they were stuck.

Lisa said, “He looked at me with tears and said, ‘Miss, my mom isn’t bad. She just got troubles.’ I held him and told him he was right. She was one of God’s children, and God’s children were not bad.”

Lisa then asked the young man if he and his mom would like to come to come to Joy Junction. He said that his mom wouldn’t go, adding, “‘Miss. You’re not gonna call the authorities, are you? I said no, but he needed to try and convince his mother to seek shelter.”

Lisa walked back to the van and started filling out the necessary paperwork before moving onto the next stop. Something caused her to look up for a moment and she saw the boy-old before his years-had climbed out of the sleeping bag she had given him. He was putting it over his mother.

Lisa said, “With tears in my eyes, I went to the back of the van and grabbed another sleeping bag, I took it to the boy, and said ‘Please get in, and stay in, this one. You can’t be of any help to your mother if you’re ill.’ He thanked me and lay down next to his mother.”

As Lisa drove away, her stomach was churning. She said, “I was praying with all my might not to be angry with the grandmother, but really, who puts a 15-year-old child out on the street because of his mother’s ‘sins?’”

Next on the route, Lisa said, was “an alley that always makes me a little nervous. It is very dark, and there is no way of giving the people sleeping there warning that I was there. I grabbed a few lunches and made my way to the back of the alley. There were about 15 men sleeping, so I started just setting lunches next to them, not wanting to disturb them. However, one gentleman stood up (and began) yelling.”

Lisa said her attempts to explain that she was from Joy Junction and there to help weren’t working.  She said the man grabbed a piece of glass and started giving chase.

Lisa began running back to the van. She said, “I was about half  way to my van when I ran into (literally) a man I’ve known for a long time. (Chapo)  raised his hand, and the man giving chase stopped and turned back.”

Lisa said she thanked Chapo, and said she guess the man didn’t care for sack lunches.

Chapo laughed and said, “‘Child, this is his second night on the street. He is a might jumpy.”

Chapo told Lisa if she had another lunch he would tell her the man’s story. Lisa said she gave Chapo the requested lunch, and sat down in his cardboard hut, lighting two cigarettes, one for him and one for her.

Chapo told Lisa the young man had wondered into the alley two nights prior, beaten badly and scared to death. He had told Chapo his father had kicked him out due to his use of alcohol, and he didn’t know what to do.

Chapo told Lisa he had tried to get the young man to call Joy Junction or the shelters that house homeless men, but he just cried and asked Chapo if he could stay with him. Chapo said, “‘So I guess I have a roommate, Ms. Lisa.’”

Lisa hugged Chapo, and told him he was an amazing man. She gave him another lunch and a sleeping bag for his friend.

She continued, “I looked at my watch and told Chapo it was time to head back to the shelter and start transporting people to town. He thanked me and I was on my way.”

Lisa returned to Joy Junction in time to see a line of residents waiting to go into town. As they boarded the van, Lisa’s mind kept returning to the events of the night. She dropped her passengers at all of the regularly scheduled locations, and was returning to Joy Junction when she saw the young man and his mother standing by the bus stop. The boy waved for her to stop and she pulled over.

Lisa said, “He introduced me to his mother and told her  of the night before. With eyes down she thanked me, and asked if this was the right bus to get her son to school on time.  I said, ‘Yes, it is.’ I asked her to consider coming to Joy Junction. Eyes to the ground, she said she would think about it. I hugged her son and told her to hold her head up, adding that she had so much to be proud of and nothing to be ashamed of. I returned to my van and drove to Joy Junction.”

Arriving back at Joy Junction, it was the end of Lisa’s shift. She made her way to her campus housing.

She said, “I walked down my hall, and by habit  started to kick the heater up. (I didn’t.)  I stopped and looked at my bed with three comforters on it and back at the thermostat. If a 15-year-old could sit on a cold sidewalk with a sweat shirt on keeping watch over his mom, I could sleep on a bed with just blankets without the house being 72 degrees. A small thing I know, but somehow I slept better.”

A Not-So-Well-Known Joy Junction Ministry: Nighttime Street Outreach

Joy Junction’s vans run 24 hours a day seven days a week. The main priority is transporting guests to and from our South Valley location. However, with the number of homeless increasing daily in Albuquerque, there are many days when Joy Junction is filled to capacity.

As a result, we have to turn away people almost nightly. Because of this, our graveyard drivers  do a nighttime street outreach, taking blankets, coats and sack lunches throughout the downtown area and beyond, giving it to those who could not (or for whatever reason didn’t want to) access a shelter that evening.

Lisa’s Thought

“We are all not very far from … homelessness. In today’s world, it’s hard to keep up with (everything). When you’re driving around town and see someone ‘flying a sign,’ please before you jump to the conclusion that they just want to buy drugs or alcohol, keep my experience in mind. The 50-year-old lady who is trying to do right by her son, a son who will get off the bus from school with his stomach growling. Maybe she wants to buy him an after school snack. A treat that many children and parents take for granted.”

TEL: (505) 400-7145

Joy Junction Homeless Shelter Challenges Contractors, Remodelers and Homeowners

Tiger Wood’s ex-wife Elin Nordegren has been the focus of attention lately for demolishing her $12.3 million home in Palm Beach County, FL so she can build a new house.

While most homeless and near-homeless folks cannot fathom Ms. Nordegren’s actions, it is laudable that she has apparently donated all items of value from the destroyed mansion to Habitat for Humanity for auction. The items are expected to bring in about $30,000, which is reportedly among the largest donations to Habitat for Humanity in the region in recent years.

Joy Junction, New Mexico’s largest emergency shelter, appreciates that the items were salvaged and used as donations.

“We challenge all local area contractors, remodelers and homeowners to donate rather than send items to the landfill,” said Joy Junction Founder and CEO Dr. Jeremy Reynalds.

He added, “There are many things that can be put up for auction, bid or other means to generate funds for services that help the disenfranchised and marginalized.”

Housing as many as 300 people a night and feeding as many as 16,000 meals monthly, Joy Junction in Albuquerque, is planning an expansion that will improve and expand services for city homeless.

“Without the generosity of the community our 25 years in operation would not be possible,” said Reynalds. Joy Junction does not get government funding.

For more information go to www.joyjunction.org.

The Holidays are Over but the Need Continues; Joy Junction Helps Hundreds Nightly

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. For about two months out of each year, the telephone at Joy Junction, New Mexico’s largest emergency homeless shelter, rings almost off the hook with calls from happy sounding voices offering food, help and monetary gifts.

As you may have guessed, I’m talking about the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons. However, the need to take care of our city’s homeless is one that is year round.

But when the phone rings after the holidays – like now –  it’s usually a desperate family looking for help.

And when the office door opens, rather than volunteers coming to help, many times in comes a sad and scared mom looking for a place to stay. Other times it’s an embarrassed and humiliated dad having to swallow his pride to make sure his wife and kids will find food and shelter until he finds a permanent place to stay.

Tonight and for days, weeks and months to come, Joy Junction will still shelter families who without our assistance would have no roof over their heads. Everyone we help is hurting in one way or another.

As concerned and caring community members, we need to remember two important facts. First, the homeless are with us year round, not only during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. Second, with proper help, many of our guests, who have unique stories of quiet desperation that most of us could never imagine in our worst nightmares, can and do turn their lives around.

While many of the homeless have made bad decisions in their lives, such as getting involved with illegal drugs or abusing alcohol, who among us hasn’t made a bad choice? It’s just that usually our choices aren’t as obvious as those made by the homeless.

And if you or I had been forced to contend with many of the unspeakable circumstances experienced by the homeless, who’s to say we wouldn’t make a similar choice?

Then there are others, who maybe because of domestic violence or a difficult economy, are just unable to make it without the assistance offered by Joy Junction or other similar ministries.

A number of the homeless are also people who have served this nation in times of need. According to national surveys conducted in years past by Joy Junction and other faith-based ministries around the United States, nearly one in three men staying at homeless shelters is a veteran. Nearly half of these are veterans of the Vietnam War and about one in 10 served during the Gulf War.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned after working with New Mexico’s homeless for over a quarter century it is that with the right sort of help, many of them turn their lives around. Specifically, rehabilitation requires not only mental and physical counseling, but also spiritual nurturing to give these men and women the strength they need to return to society. That’s what Joy Junction in particular – and faith-based ministries in general – are all about.

This nurturing of faith is the key to taking people off the streets, giving them new lives and making them productive. Yet it must be done in a sustained way. Just as the problems creating homelessness are not “seasonal,” so too the solutions to homelessness cannot simply be provided at certain times of the year.

The homeless need an environment in which they are challenged to acknowledge and consistently renounce unhealthy behaviors; otherwise, they will never acquire the practical or emotional skills they need to succeed. Establishing responsibility and accepting a consistent faith in Jesus Christ is the beginning of transforming a lifestyle learned on the streets to a safe and successful life.

Those of us who minister to Albuquerque’s homeless at Joy Junction do so because of our love for the Lord Jesus Christ. It is our faith in the transforming power of the Lord that gives us the strength to get out of bed every morning and care for men and women who are ignored by many people in Albuquerque.

As you go about your daily duties, please remember those in need. Even though we are officially past the holiday season, please use the cold weather as a reminder to thank God for the blessings of your home and as an opportunity to reach out to others who are not so fortunate.

Sometimes when people consider the overall homeless picture, they declare the situation to be hopeless. For Joy Junction, while helping the homeless is indeed difficult, with the transforming power of the Christian faith, combined with your generosity over the last 25-plus years, we are succeeding.

So with that in mind, I hope you will continue to remember us and other faith-based ministries that share the love of Jesus Christ with the needy.

Call Jeremy Reynalds at (505) 400-7145

Joy Junction Holiday Feasts for the Homeless

Media Note: Media are welcome to film Christmas Day dinner preparations at Joy Junction’s South Valley facility from 5 a.m. onwards on Christmas Day. Please call Jeremy Reynalds at 505 400 7145 for more information about this availability.

Here’s what Joy Junction has planned.

On Monday Dec. 19^th at  6 p.m. Joy Junction will hold its 26^th annual pre-Christmas Dinner.

Joy Junction Founder and CEO Dr. Jeremy Reynalds said, “We’re hoping for a terrific time. Juan Velasco from 92.3 KRST (and other station staff) will be with us, and Juan will be DJ’ing the musical entertainment. We so appreciate Juan and all of our volunteers. I think that when our homeless guests see so many people there to serve them dinner, they will see a tangible demonstration of what a terrific community we have here in Albuquerque.”

Christmas Day

Joy Junction’s 26th annual traditional Christmas will take place at Joy Junction’s 4500 Second Street Southwest facility from 2 p.m through 6 p.m. on Sunday Dec. 25th.

Musical entertainment is still needed. Call (505) 463 4818 for more information.

Everyone is welcome.

Joy Junction vans will be making the rounds of a number of homeless “hot spots” prior to both dinners to ensure that anyone who would like to has a Christmas dinner.

Call (505) 877 6967 for additional information.