Celebrate but Remember the Homeless

By Jeremy Reynalds, Ph.D. Founder and CEO Joy Junction Inc. July 4 is just around the corner, but not all Americans will be celebrating Independence Day with fireworks, a day off from work, a thankful heart and food. For some, it’s just another day of fear and uncertainty. An incident from a few years ago just prior to July 4 … Read More

Just One Additional Service for the Homeless

By Jeremy Reynalds, Ph.D. Founder and CEO Joy Junction Inc. Sometimes it’s time to take quick break from both raising the funds and planning the long term vision at Joy Junction (something that’s always on my mind) and think about an additional service that our guests might like (probably an issue that while maybe small is top of their minds). … Read More

Some Old Musical Friends Return to Joy Junction

Some old friends are returning to Joy Junction, and you’re invited. On Friday June 5 at 7 p.m. “The Choir” will be at Joy Junction. That’s at 4500 2nd St SW, one mile south of Rio Bravo.  They’ve been with us before in various incarnations-such as The Lost Dogs and Kerosene Halo. Admission is a can of food and a love … Read More

Mayor of Albuquerque. Don’t Give to Panhandlers. They May Buy Food.

By Jeremy Reynalds, Ph.D. Founder and CEO Joy Junction Inc. A new initiative rolled out by the City of Albuquerque on Wednesday is asking people not to give money to panhandlers. In an astonishing statement attributed to Albuquerque Mayor R.J. Berry by KRQE TV News Berry reportedly said, “If you hand $5 out of your window to a panhandler today, that … Read More

It Looks Like the Homeless Aren’t “Going Square” Anytime Soon

By Jeremy Reynalds, Ph.D. Founder  and CEO Joy Junction Inc. A You Tube video of a homeless man in Roswell, New Mexico apparently using a card reader to panhandle for donations has gotten thousands of hits. A local news station in Albuquerque tracked down one of the young men who made the video, and asked him for a receipt for the donation … Read More

Not Your Usual Graduation

By Jeremy Reynalds, Ph.D. Founder and CEO Joy Junction Inc. Just a few days ago, we held a graduation ceremony for some of the members of Joy Junction’s nine month Christ in Power life recovery program. Joy Junction Resident Services Manager Denis Billy found out that it was a significant time for them. Jami said that graduating meant to her … Read More

Bureaucracy-“Chin deep in Red Tape and Unnecessary Procedures”

By Jeremy Reynalds, Ph.D. Founder and CEO Joy Junction Inc. Image via www.drtomoconnor.com/4090/4090lect02.htm I dislike bureaucracy-intensely. Just the word conjures up very negative connotations. Here’s one definition.  It reads in part, “A bureaucracy is an organization made up of many departments and divisions that are administered by lots of people. If you’ve ever had to deal with health insurance or … Read More

Joy Junction Forced to Postpone Groundbreaking Ceremony

News Release From: Jeremy Reynalds, Ph.D. Founder and CEO Joy Junction Inc. Tel: 505 400 7145   ALBUQUERQUE. N.M. Regrettably, Joy Junction has been forced to postpone its groundbreaking ceremony, and the start of construction. This decision is necessary due to multiple changes and unexpected delays with financing and loan closing. Joy Junction Founder and CEO Dr. Jeremy Reynalds said … Read More

How Did You Deal With Your Worst Day?

By Jeremy Reynalds, Ph.D. Founder and CEO Joy Junction Inc. We all have memories of our worst day. They range from a layoff, a burglary, the loss of a loved one, to perhaps the diagnosis of a potentially devastating disease. Sometimes, that worst day is when an expected promotion fails to materialize, we can’t get the parking spot we want, … Read More

Food Stamps and the Animals

By Jeremy Reynalds, Ph.D. Founder and CEO Joy Junction Inc. The “gravy train” some people think the poor enjoy is “extremely lumpy.” A troubling commentary comparing recipients of food stamps to zoo animals has been making rounds on the Internet for a while. On Jan. 2 2013, Some time ago, a U.S. Congressional representative posted it on his Facebook page. … Read More

“When Poverty Knocks On the Door, Love Flies Out the Window.” Does It?

By Jeremy Reynalds, Ph.D. Founder and CEO Joy Junction Inc. Just a simple statement I heard used by Celebrity TV Chef Robert Irvine, but it grabbed me again the minute I heard it. During his “Restaurant Impossible” TV show, Irvine quoted the old saying, “When poverty knocks on the door, love flies out the window.” I was curious what our … Read More

Do We Have a Homeless “Crisis” in Albuquerque?

By Jeremy Reynalds, Ph.D. Founder and CEO Joy Junction  Inc. We have a homeless crisis in Albuquerque. At least, that’s according to one person talking recently to area news media. One definition of crisis is “a time of intense difficulty, trouble, or danger.” When you define it that way, we do have a crisis, but it’s not a new one. … Read More

To Give or Not to Give to Panhandlers; That is the Question

By Jeremy Reynalds, Ph.D. Founder and CEO Joy Junction Inc. With Albuquerque Mayor Richard Berry saying his office is trying to find a way to deal with panhandlers without having to arrest them, the issue is back in the news again. “We know that some of the panhandlers, quite frankly, aren’t being necessarily genuine in their requests,” local media reported … Read More

The Unseen Homeless Who Are Getting Back on Their Feet

By Jeremy Reynalds, Ph.D. Founder and CEO Joy Junction Inc. While perhaps unwillingly, residents of Albuquerque’s Tent City have gotten the homeless (and their cause) a lot of publicity in the last few weeks. Much of the press has focused on the negativity surrounding the embattled encampment. While the ultimate solution for Tent City is still up for debate, what’s … Read More

Tent City Solutions Must Address The Root of the Issue

By Jeremy Reynalds, Ph.D. Founder and CEO Joy Junction Inc. Tent City (via KOB TV). What’s up with Tent City and where should its residents go? This homeless community started in Downtown Albuquerque, and upon its eviction due to concerns of illegal activity moved into a vacant lot in the center of the historic Barelas neighborhood. Tent City residents now … Read More

Albuquerque’s Tent City-No Easy Solutions

By Jeremy Reynalds, Ph.D. Founder and CEO Joy Junction Inc. There are no easy answers for the individuals who at least for the moment have made the area close to 1st Street and Iron home. The city’s law enforcement has given a suggested move out date, and along with representatives from other agencies, Joy Junction has provided food, and offered … Read More

Alcoholism and the Homeless. A Sin or Disease?

By Jeremy Reynalds, Ph.D. Founder and CEO Joy Junction Inc. Alcoholism is “a wicked sin, just like drug addiction. You can get victory over it with the help of Jesus. “   We live in an alcohol saturated culture, where the link is often made between drinking alcohol and having a good time. Unless you’re a conservative American Christian or … Read More

Resolutions or Prayers? You Decide!

By Jeremy Reynalds, Ph.D. Founder and CEO Joy Junction Inc.   With Thanksgiving and Christmas behind us, if you haven’t already it’s time to start thinking about the seemingly inevitable subject of new year’s resolutions. You know, stuff like resolving to be a better person, changing jobs, quitting smoking, eating less and exercising more, or some other personal goal that … Read More

The Holidays are Over but the Need Continues

By Jeremy Reynalds, Ph.D. Founder and CEO Joy Junction Inc. For about two months out of each year, the telephone at Joy Junction, New Mexico’s largest emergency homeless shelter, rings almost off the hook with calls from happy sounding voices offering food, volunteer help and monetary gifts. As you may have guessed, I’m talking about the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons. … Read More

2014 is Almost Over

From: Jeremy Reynalds, Ph.D. Founder and CEO Joy Junction Inc.   Dear Joy Junction Friend, I hope your holiday season has been blessed. As you may have seen, Joy Junction just celebrated our 29th Christmas. What an exciting and unbelievable ride it’s been since 1986. You can find our more about Joy Junction ‘s beginning and my own story in … Read More

Year End Giving Will Help Us End Strong.

From: Jeremy Reynalds, Ph.D. Founder and CEO Joy Junction Inc. Dear Joy Junction Friend, Thank you for your prayerful and financial support of Joy Junction during 2014.  We appreciate it so much, and couldn’t continue to feel and shelter the hungry and homeless without your help. Would you please consider a special gift year end gift for 2014? It will … Read More

Homeless but Still Thankful for So Much

By Jeremy Reynalds, Ph.D. Founder and CEO Joy Junction Inc. It’s a day-and season-of thanks, but had you ever wondered what the homeless are thankful for? We asked some of our guests at Joy Junction. Their answers, both simple and profound, may surprise you. Brandi said she is happy being able to wake up “clean from addictions.” Several other guests … Read More

Joy Junction Guests Appreciate Food and Shelter for Thanksgiving

By Jeremy Reynalds, Ph.D. Founder and CEO Joy Junction Inc. It’s almost “Thanksgiving” again at Joy Junction, New Mexico’s largest emergency homeless shelter, and only shelter for homeless families. It’s hard for me to believe that Thanksgiving Day will mark the 29th successive year we have shared the blessing of Thanksgiving with Albuquerque’s many homeless and abused women and homeless … Read More

Less Drama-More Dialogue.

By Jeremy Reynalds, Ph.D. Founder and CEO Joy Junction Inc. It might just help our city’s homeless The older (and hopefully wiser) I get, I want less drama and more dialogue-in every area of my life. Dialogue, and not drama or confrontation, is the key to helping alleviate some of the homeless issues Downtown. Take those individuals who have been … Read More

To ID or not to ID? That is the Question. What Would Jesus Do?

By Jeremy Reynalds, Ph.D. Founder and CEO Joy Junction Inc. And what about background checks? Who helps the homeless without any identification? It’s a conversation that needs to occur, because lack of identification is a reoccurring challenge faced by homeless people. Joy Junction asks for identification, but works with those who don’t have it to help them obtain the identification … Read More