Then "home" may be an alleyway, an abandoned building or perhaps a field.

With the colder weather we're beginning to experience, any of those choices could result in death. That's why Joy Junction, New Mexico's largest emergency homeless shelter, is trying to alert the homeless that by calling 1 800 924 0569 they can get a ride to a warm, safe place to stay. The emergency transportation service is available seven days a week 24 hours a day.

Joy Junction Founder and CEO Dr. Jeremy Reynalds said he also encourages citizens who see homeless individuals (or those who appear to be homeless) to access this service.

Reynalds said, "Just tell our dispatcher where you saw people, and we'll send our van there to see if they'd like a ride to Joy Junction."

Joy Junction transportation for the homeless covers all of Bernalillo County and sometimes beyond. It is funded by Joy Junction's concerned donors, and is the only privately funded year round emergency transportation available for the homeless.

In addition to responding to requests for rides to Joy Junction, Joy Junction's van driver also checks our areas where the homeless are known to congregate.

Reynalds added, "I'm glad we have the van service available to bring people to our South Valley location. I really appreciate the continued generosity of our donors that allows us to keep this important service available."

However, Reynalds said, many nights Joy Junction is full and on occasion there are also people who for whatever reason don't care to go to a shelter. When Joy Junction has sleeping bags and blankets, they are offered to these individuals.

Reynalds said, "But we can only give out sleeping bags and blankets when we have them, and we could always use more. If people would like to donate, we could always use them. They should be brought to 4500 2nd St SW, and we can assure donors that they will be put to good use."

Reynalds said that in five years the number of people using Joy Junction's services has doubled, and he is very concerned about this disturbing trend. It does not, he said, bode well for the upcoming winter season.