Joy Junction, New Mexico’s largest homeless shelter, is honored to be one of 12 charities nationwide that have been chosen to participate in the Pictures of Hope program.
Fifteen homeless children from families staying at Joy Junction will take photographs to chronicle their hopes, dreams and vision for the future. One photo from each child will become a greeting card that is part of a 15 card set available for you to order NOW, to be delivered around Thanksgiving.
One hundred percent of the program costs are paid by Chevrolet, and all the proceeds from the card sales will benefit Joy Junction to help support its work with the homeless, right here in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
The Pictures of Hope program is the creation of Linda Solomon, a nationally recognized and award-winning photojournalist. Linda is also a member of the prestigious Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame.
Joy Junction is one of only a small handful of “family” homeless shelters in the United States. “Families stay together at Joy Junction,” said Dr. Jeremy Reynalds, founder and CEO of Joy Junction said
Reynalds, who was once homeless himself. He now has a Ph.D. in intercultural education, and founded Joy Junction in 1986.
Joy Junction serves homeless women, children and families.
“Their hopes and dreams captured in quiet moments tell a story that few adults can imagine. When you show children that you care about what they wish for in life, perhaps a child who never felt he or she had self-worth, now will,” said Solomon.
Reynalds said, “We firmly believe that each child entrusted to our shelter should receive positive affirmation, learn that they are precious in God’s sight, and be taught they can accomplish anything in life, by working hard and trusting in God.”
He added, “We are thankful that our kids will participate in the Pictures of Hope program, and have a chance to archive their dreams, to help make their dreams, visions and hopes clear, and residing in their precious heart.”
Joy Junction has other programs for children, including its “Let’s Read” program, to help children learn and nurture a desire to read, a skill they can carry the rest of their life.
A new program starting soon, “Share the Discovery,” will allow homeless children and their families to attend museums to learn about history, and gain a life-long appreciation for the arts.
“Homeless children should have opportunities to learn and grow in spite of their family homelessness,” said Reynalds.
For more information about Joy Junction, visit www.joyjunction.org
To learn more about Pictures of Hope, go to www.lindasolomonphotography.com
To find out more about Galles Chevrolet, the local sponsor, go to www.galleschevy.com
