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 answers and solutions, and we want them now! We want “microwave” results instead of “crockpot” results. Most of the time, we allow frustration to set in…and that’s what begins to take over.
At times like these, the simplest or smallest of things can cause us to have a meltdown. We have a fit and may think: “Why doesn’t someone help?!” We may feel like life is overwhelming and is getting very, very hard in a short amount of time.
One of our guests, Michael (not his real name), experienced something similar and had a huge change in his life’s plan. Here’s his story:
My dad passed away. In the middle of trying to get over that, we found out that my uncle had rights to my dad’s property.
So, my mom and I were kicked out.…
That was like a punch in the gut!
My mom found a place to stay and she’s safe – which was my main concern. But, there was no space for me, so I needed to find my own place. I found out about a shelter that took in families – and I figured that would mean it was safe – so I chose to come here [Joy Junction].
I feel safe and I like the people. I enjoy the activities, too.
It wasn’t long before they told me about their programs. I thought about them, and decided to join the Christ in Power Program. I’m so glad I did! I have learned a lot. It has helped me realize that I had an addiction. I understand, now, that I no longer need that stuff.
I am feeling good about myself because I am accomplishing the tasks that I have been given. The staff has helped me with so many things. I’m looking forward to being able to get a job after graduating from this program.
My life has been changed because of this place. I feel like a new person!
I’m so thankful for Joy Junction!
When unexpected life situations happen, and homelessness is the result, many may try to find meaning in it all. They want to find a reason for why difficult things happen and why they wound up in the position they are in.
Sometimes, there’s just no answer for “Why did this happened to me?” At other times, the person’s choices are responsible for their circumstance.
Either way, most people still hope for some kind of encouragement to enter their lives.
That’s where we step in. We do want to help, and our goal is to try to get our guests to choose to turn back to a healthy and safe lifestyle. We want to help them focus on what they CAN control – and that’s their choices.
Being homeless may feel like a deep “hole” has been cut into a person’s heart. We feel the best way to “fix” that “hole” is to fill it back up with positive reinforcements. The emotional toll it takes on them may begin to feel like a bottomless pit at times. They may ask: “When will it ever end?” The shame and embarrassment some feel is hard to shake, as well.
We do our best to help them get their lives turned around, but it usually takes a while – weeks, months, and sometimes, years.
It is our pleasure to provide for them. But in order to do that, we need help from our community friends. Cooking three meals for up to 350 people a day, for 365 days a year, is a lot of food supplies. As well, making sure we have enough staff to do the directing, cleaning, cooking, organizing, teaching, and encouraging takes a large amount of funds.
We depend on compassionate people to lend a helping hand through financial donations.
Because of our faithful donors, we are able to offer programs that can encourage people, like Michael, with a “hand up” in this world. We truly do want the best for our guests.
No matter the reason for why they have come to us for help, we understand that they are in a hard place. It’s our pleasure to provide food and shelter, as well as possible guidance for their next steps in life.
Michael is one example of many who come to us in dire need. Some arrive with just the clothes on their back, others have a suitcase or two, and still others have had to put their possessions in storage until they can afford to get a place of their own again.
Make no mistake about it…homelessness is no joke. It’s a hard, hard situation. We are happy to help those in that position make changes to move forward in their life.
We are grateful for any kind of help our community neighbors can offer by:
- sending in a financial gift,
- volunteering,
- donating goods, or
- lending a helping hand in other ways.
We are so blessed by the love, compassion, and service given to our ministry. Thank you!
