2026 March #2By a Joy Junction Staff Member (JBF) There are times when each of us think only of ourselves. It may be often, or it may be rare, but we all have those moments. Selfishness is an innate thing. We are born with it. Many of us learn how to curb that tendency, but some never do. For those … Read More
“I wanted a program that would help me stop abusing myself.”
2026 March #1By a Joy Junction Staff Member (JBF) Are there times when you feel fearful…to the point that no one else can find or see sense in it? How about mood swings? Are you moving from a mountaintop to a valley several times throughout the day on a regular basis? Do you feel depressed all the time? Are you … Read More
“I was angry…very angry…that this happened to us.”
2026 February By a Joy Junction Staff Member (JBF) Most of us think about “tomorrow”…whatever that date is. We think of future things coming up. We plan for events we are looking forward to. We set aside time to be involved in activities that interest us. That’s a normal part of life. Participating in something is important to us because … Read More
“It’s been a hard road for me…”
2026 January #1By a Joy Junction Staff Member (JBF) Looking back over life’s events can sometimes cause a person to wonder “what if?” What if they had never met “so-and-so?”What if they had never done “that certain thing?”What if they had taken the job offer that “sounded too good to be true?” There could potentially be a “what if?” question … Read More
“I meandered all over the place…I just couldn’t settle myself.”
2025 December #2By a Joy Junction Staff Member (JBF) As people go through life, they usually gravitate to a certain type of personality or temperament in those they choose to call friends. Being “on the same page” with someone and able to relate on the same level with each other can generate an emotional bond. Companionship with others provides a … Read More
“I wasn’t sure what to do…”
2025 December #1By a Joy Junction Staff Member (JBF) Have you ever been a caregiver? It can be a very stressful and exhausting situation. It’s a continual battle to meet the constant demands of the person needing help, as well as making sure the needs of the person providing the care are taken care of. It’s important for the caretaker … Read More
“We had no other choice…we had to get help.”
2025 November #2By a Joy Junction Staff Member (JBF) When a person tries and tries and tries…and still there is no way out of the predicament, a point is reached where help becomes necessary. The “end of the line” has come for the person’s own efforts and resources. Asking for help should not be anything to be ashamed of. We … Read More
“I knew I could not carry all my problems on my shoulders anymore…”
2025 November #1By a Joy Junction Staff Member (JBF) Well…the landlord raised the rent for the second time in a year…the boss said he had to downsize, so there goes the job…the children need money for several different school projects…and the refrigerator is looking pretty bare… Sometimes, it all hits at once. We all have experienced times when life threw … Read More
“I lost everything I had…”
2025 October #1By a Joy Junction Staff Member (JBF) Holidays can be a lot of fun with family and friends who gather to fellowship with each other while celebrating whatever the special occasion may be. When people are involved with their fun, they usually are not aware of others who have no one to celebrate with. Sometimes, when a person … Read More
“My mom and I were kicked out…”
2025 September #1 By a Joy Junction Staff Member (JBF) When “life happens” and things are taken out of our control, sometimes, we feel like the whole world is falling apart. Maybe our workplace suddenly closed down… Maybe our home was broken into, and we were robbed… Maybe our loved one is sick, and no medication is helping… We want … Read More
“A lot of bad things happened at once…”
2025 August By a Joy Junction Staff Member (JBF) Can you believe it? This fall marks 39 years for Joy Junction’s existence. We’ve been through some refurbishing changes over the years, so we may look a bit different, but we still have the same goal of “breaking the cycle of homelessness, one life at a time.” Throughout the years, we … Read More
“It’s an everyday battle to stay sober…”
2025 May #1By a Joy Junction Staff Member (JBF) Have you seen a noticeable change in someone you know? Whether good or bad, is the person displaying characteristics that are not the same as before? When someone’s personality makes a big change, it is usually a sign that indicates something major has occurred in their life. We always hope and … Read More
“I needed a new beginning…”
2025 April #2By a Joy Junction Staff Member (JBF) Have you ever found yourself in a situation where the environment seemed to have a physical weight? Were the people, words, music, or whatever else was present, simply too heavy to bear? Was the pressure on your heart causing anxiety, insecurity, or fear? Sometimes places or situations like that have a … Read More
“That call changed my life.”
2025 April #1By a Joy Junction Staff Member (JBF) Sometimes…most of the time…life does not turn out the way we dreamed it would. Usually, before we are placed in a certain situation, our brains “orchestrate” how we think that particular situation will play out. Some parts of the dream scenario may come to fruition, but usually, even those are a … Read More
“I got to the point of wanting to hurt myself…”
2025 MarchBy a Joy Junction Staff Member (JBF) Feeling discouraged and miserable on a daily basis eventually wears on the nerves and the mind. Feelings of sadness, aloneness, or hopelessness may well up in a person and cause them to shut down. When someone gets to that point, there is usually a lack of motivation to do anything at all, … Read More
“My choices put me near death…”
2025 February By a Joy Junction Staff Member (JBF) Being taken advantage of is not fun. Being treated unfairly for someone else’s benefit is not only disappointing, it often leads to a path of heartbreak, regret, and distrust. However, sometimes, it’s easy to be misled by people who truly seem sincere. Our heart wants to trust those we place around … Read More
“I think I had to get desperate…”
2025 JanuaryBy a Joy Junction Staff Member (JBF) Have you ever needed a shoulder to lean on? Life can throw unexpected events at us, and sometimes we need a little extra help to get through them. Some people feel alone and have no family or close friends to call upon to be that strong shoulder of support for them. Sadness, … Read More
“I didn’t know how to help myself…”
2024 December #2 By a Joy Junction Staff Member (JBF) Life produces many different scenarios. Some are happy. Some are sad. Some are intense. Some are peaceful. We love the happy and peaceful times – especially during the holiday seasons. Focusing on the fun and joyful events makes us cheerful. We carry a smile on our face pretty much everywhere … Read More
“I felt alone in the world…”
2024 October #1 By a Joy Junction Staff Member (JBF) Sometimes, the hard knocks of life really do pull the rug right out from under us. One moment we are on top of the mountain and all is going well, then, the next moment, we feel like we’ve been thrown down to the depths of the valley. The job that … Read More
“I was in an abusive relationship…”
2024 September #2By a Joy Junction Staff Member (JBF) Over the years, we have found that some of our guests became homeless because they were escaping an abusive situation. They needed protection and provision, both. Unfortunately, it has become apparent that abuse is present in all types of family units. It doesn’t matter if they are married. It doesn’t … Read More
I couldn’t find housing…
2024 July #1By a Joy Junction Staff Member (JBF) No one needs to be reminded that it’s hot outside. The heat is felt by every person, one way or another. But, it’s felt even more by those who have to remain out in it because they’ve fallen on hard times and have no housing to protect them. There are many … Read More
Being a drug addict can destroy your life…
2024 June #2By a Joy Junction Staff Member (JBF) Living in someone else’s home, with their family, is always a tricky situation. Being grateful is a given, but being frustrated with the situation and afraid of the unknown is also part of the equation. How long will the current circumstance last? Will the family unexpectedly choose to end their generosity? … Read More
Our hearts hurt for those without a home…
2024 June #1By a Joy Junction Staff Member (JBF) Summertime. It’s a season when the cold weather has been gone for a while and many of us are enjoying our time outside. Most of this season brings plenty of sunshine throughout the day. Feeling that warm sun in the morning energizes us and prepares our mind for a good, productive … Read More
I had nowhere, but the streets, to go…
2024 May #1By a Joy Junction Staff Member (JBF) It’s nice to feel the warmth of the sun, after the passing of cold weather, now that we are in the spring season. Our winter seasons are not as cold as many other states, but we still have our share of “below freezing” nights. When our temperature gets that low, many … Read More
Sometimes, life just throws you a curve ball…
2024 April #1By a Joy Junction Staff Member (JBF) Springtime is a beautiful time of year. It’s when all the green begins to show up again in the vegetation around us. It’s also when we get to watch the colors pop up around the city as new growth reveals itself. It’s a time of rejuvenation and renewal. It puts a … Read More
Being homeless is scary…
2024 March #1By a Joy Junction Staff Member (JBF) Even though we have some nice, sun-filled days from time to time, it’s still winter. The nights are cold outside…and we see the evidence of many people around our city trying to sleep and stay warm along the streets, down the alleyways, and between buildings. Some of them have just fallen … Read More
It’s been a long road…
2024 February #1By a Joy Junction Staff Member (JBF) When we start something new, it’s usually at that point that we make changes. That’s why it’s called “new.” It’s different from before. The beginning of a new year is a good time to think about the kind of changes that might benefit the direction of the coming days. Being stagnant … Read More
I had lost focus on what matters in life
2024 January #1 By a Joy Junction Staff Member (JBF) At the beginning of every new year, most of us tend to stop and take stock in what all we did during the year before, and what we plan to do differently, or better, in the year ahead. Some years have been very hard, and we are SO looking forward … Read More
You are an important part of our mission.
2023 December #2 By a Joy Junction Staff Member (JBF) It is our dearest hope that you have a Merry Christmas and a blessed holiday season! Every one of you are very special to us. Your compassionate heart spreads joy every time you choose to join us as we strive to help those who have fallen on hard times. We … Read More
I had destroyed my life…
2023 December #1 By a Joy Junction Staff Member (JBF) There are times when some of our guests open up and share their story the moment they arrive. But, for the most part, it usually takes them a few days to feel comfortable enough to talk about why they have become homeless. For such a sensitive subject matter, it may … Read More
