Visitors to Albuquerque's Old Town Can Park with Joy Junction and Help the Homeless
With a shaky economy and an increased need for services, ministries providing help for the homeless are having to be more creative than ever to fund their operations.
Now a relationship between Joy Junction, New Mexico's largest homeless shelter, and Albuquerque's San Felipe Association will help provide another essential source of revenue for the privately funded faith based ministry.
San Felipe Association is partnering with Joy Junction to assist in managing its parking garage, located on Mountain and 20th.
San Felipe's David Genrich said he is happy about the relationship, and the extra funds it will bring Joy Junction.
He added, "It is good to know that the extra revenue generated will help with such important projects as those created by Joy Junction."
Joy Junction Founder and CEO Dr. Jeremy Reynalds said he is thrilled about the new relationship, and the kindness extended by Genrich and the San Felipe Association goes far beyond the monetary benefits that Joy Junction will reap from the venture.
He said the opportunity will allow Joy Junction to create the equivalent of two new full time positions for graduates of its six month life recovery program.
Reynalds said many of the shelter's residents enroll in the program, where they receive the necessary help and encouragement to distance themselves from addictive behaviors, learn life skills and receive a strong spiritual foundation.
Reynalds said job opportunities like those available at the parking garage help the shelter's life recovery graduates achieve reintegration into mainstream community life, become fruitful participants in society and start working toward a positive employment track record.
This is the second lot managed by Joy Junction. Since 1999, Joy Junction has managed a parking at 123 Central Northwest owned by Gulfstream Worldwide, a real estate property leasing firm.
Joy Junction also employs its program graduates at that location. All the income over and above expenses is put back into the shelter's general operations account to further help Joy Junction in its mission of helping Albuquerque's homeless.
That income has played an ever-increasing part in Joy Junction's ability to maintain its work with Albuquerque's homeless.
Reynalds said he is very grateful to both Gulfstream and the San Felipe Association.
He said, "They are terrific example of local businesses getting involved in helping the needy, and speaks volumes about community commitment to the community. I am overwhelmed that they do this."
People wishing to purchase monthly parking passes can call Joy Junction's Corporate Offices at (505) 217-9586.
