2026 August
By a Joy Junction Staff Member (JBF)
Joy Junction has been serving the hungry and homeless population in the Albuquerque area for 40 years. There have been many guests over the years, so we’ve heard countless stories and have watched many beautiful life transformations occur.
Our valued donors and volunteers, who partner with us on a daily basis, are a huge part of their success. We are very aware of the fact that we could not do what we do without their support. For 40 years, we have worked together to serve those who have hit rock bottom and have needed a helping hand.
To that end, we’d like to share two success stories with you.
Here’s a story from Santi (not his real name):
I was running with the wrong crowd, made some bad choices, and wound up spending all I had on alcohol and drugs. I lost everything, including my job. I didn’t want to ask my family for help because I needed to prove to them, and to myself, that I could make it on my own.
I was alone and homeless, with no structure to my day – let alone my life.
I jumped from shelter to shelter and roamed the streets of Albuquerque for about four years before I finally decided that I needed to get serious and do something with my life. People on the streets know about the different shelters, so I knew which one I wanted to call.
I contacted Joy Junction to see if there was room for me. There wasn’t…not right away, anyway. I had to wait for an opening and lived by the river until they could accept me in. I was so thankful when they did. They have given me the opportunity to restructure my life.
I joined the Christ in Power Program as soon as I was told about it because I knew I needed help with HOW to get my life turned around. It definitely took time to reorganize my habits so I could concentrate on the teachings of the class. But eventually, the curriculum showed me ways to focus on my personal needs (not “wants”) so I can make wise choices about what I should allow in my life.
It has also taught me how to reach out and care about other people, instead of only thinking about myself. I am a new person now. After I graduated from the program, I applied and was hired as part of the kitchen staff. I never thought I’d be working with food preparation in a kitchen, but I really enjoy my job. It keeps me busy and gives me structure and purpose to my life. I have found my niche.
I am so thankful Joy Junction accepted me in and helped me transform my life.
Santi, like many others who have come to us for help, has been able to transform his life. He is a wonderful testimony showing that change really is possible. Transformation can become a reality because of all the support we receive from our faithful donors. We are extremely grateful for each one!
Another success story comes from Tonya (not her real name). Here’s her story:
My husband and I have three girls. We are originally from California, but had moved to Illinois for a job opportunity. I had been a delivery driver, but was involved in a multi-vehicle wreck, in which I was injured. I needed to recuperate and heal, so I was not able to work.
My husband’s job was unable to provide enough money to keep our housing, so we became homeless – and stayed that way for over a year.
We still had our car, though, so when my mom passed away, Salvation Army helped finance a trip to California to bury her. On the way back to Illinois, the car broke down in Gallup, so we were stranded. Catholic Charities helped us get a ride to Albuquerque and that’s how we wound up at Joy Junction.
They took us in and I was so relieved and thankful! They fed us well and gave us a place to call home until we could figure out how to get the car fixed. Then, we realized that we had no real assurance that we could change our living circumstance once we returned to Illinois, so we decided to stay at the shelter here (instead of a shelter in Illinois) and look for jobs.
My husband got a job fairly quickly as a manager at a local pizza place, and then I applied and received a job as a driver for Joy Junction. We are settling into the area, and our girls are attending school and doing well. We are in the process of working things out with a used RV so we can move off campus.
“We have been able to get our lives back on track!”
I have my purpose back, and we are able to provide for our girls now. They are my whole world, so I am very thankful we can take care of them as parents should.
I am very grateful for Joy Junction! We have experienced love and support from the staff, but we are ready to move out to a place of our own.
Life is never a smooth-going, perfect adventure. Mishaps will occur. Most people do the best they can and “make lemonade” when they are given “lemons” as circumstances.
We understand that. We are here to help!
Every day of the year, Joy Junction helps transform the lives of many hungry and homeless people by providing a safe place to sleep each night, three meals a day every day of the year, and programs to inform and encourage them.
It takes many hands, feet, and ideas working together to fulfill the requirements that can allow a dream to come true. From the beginning of founding Joy Junction, by Dr. Jeremy Reynalds, hard work has been a daily occurrence and his dream of having a family-oriented shelter has become a reality.
However, we couldn’t do what we do without the help of our community partners. To commemorate the 40-year anniversary of service, we want to shout out a huge “THANK YOU!” to everyone who supports our efforts. We are so very grateful for all the help!
Thank You!