By Jeremy Reynalds, Ph.D. Founder and CEO Joy Junction Inc. It was the waning hours of the second day of the KOB TV Health Fair at EXPO NM’s Lujan Building and we were really enjoying the event. Something we attend most years, it had proved yet again another opportunity to share the homeless story, make new friends and reconnect … Read More
These Heartwarming New Year’s Resolutions Will Have You Holding Back the Tears
By Jeremy Reynalds, Ph.D. Founder and CEO Joy Junction Inc. With Thanksgiving, Christmas and now even the new year behind us, are you still thinking about 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 you hope to achieve in the upcoming … Read More
The “Season of Giving” is Over, but as Hunger and Homelessness Continue – Assistance Still Needed
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, practically rings off the hook with calls from happy sounding voices offering food, volunteer help and monetary gifts. Our online giving portal at www.joyjunction.org is also a hive of activity, with … Read More
Being Homeless is Tough But You Can Help
By Jeremy Reynalds, Ph.D. Founder and CEO Joy Junction Inc. There’s probably not a day that passes when you don’t see a homeless person, or a panhandler who is possibly homeless, in Albuquerque. Here’s a shocking statistic. In 2016 the estimated average life expectancy in the U.S. is 79 years old and a 2014 article pointed out that the normal … Read More
Joy Junction Constructing to Meet Growing Homeless Need in City; Completion of On-Site Apartment Complex Will Allow Donation-Only shelter to Lift Up More Homeless People in Dignity
By Jeremy Reynalds, Ph.D. Founder and CEO, Joy Junction Inc. With recent national attention on our city’s efforts to reduce homelessness and panhandling in the last couple of years, it’s curious why the total number of homeless individuals doesn’t go down. If anything, according to whom you ask and which statistics you believe, it keeps increasing. In addition, we’re still … Read More
Homeless Share Simple, but Poignant New Year Resolutions.
By Jeremy Reynalds, Ph.D. Founder and CEO Joy Junction Inc. They include getting teeth replaced and spending more time with kids. With Thanksgiving, Christmas and now even the new year behind us, are you still thinking about new year’s resolutions? You know, stuff like resolving to be a better person, changing jobs, quitting smoking, eating less and exercising more, or … Read More
Compassion or Judgment? What’s Your 2017 New Year’s Resolution?
by Jeremy Reynalds, Ph.D. Founder and CEO Joy Junction Inc. They’re all over Albuquerque and cities nationwide, holding a variety of signs designed to get you to fork over some spare change. Panhandling verbiage ranges from a simple, “Hungry. God bless,” to “Too honest to steal and too ugly to prostitute.” What do you do? Sometimes it can seem like … Read More
Former City Chief Public Safety Officer Concerned Albuquerque’s There’s a Better Way Program Doesn’t Require Background Checks for Workers
By Jeremy Reynalds, Ph.D. Founder and CEO Joy Junction Inc. Former Deputy City Attorney and Chief Public Safety Officer Pete Dinelli said City’s lack of background checks for “A Better Way” Program are “are exposing people to unnecessary risk” and City couldn’t escape liability in the event of an incident According to its website, in September 2015, the City of … Read More
Things I Hated To Do.
By Jeremy Reynalds, Ph.D. Founder and CEO Joy Junction Inc. While the harsh realities of life give us a lot to pray for, sometimes it can all get a bit overwhelming and we need some good news. There are many wonderful things happening around us that don’t draw media attention, and they include some of the lives being transformed at … Read More
All the Homeless Have a Story. Maybe You Can Be the One Who Gives It a Happy Ending
by Jeremy Reynalds, Ph. D. Founder and CEO Joy Junction Inc Litter was strewn on the ground. It included sandwich wrappers, chicken bones, lettuce and an old blanket. A building wall with a dark stain on it appeared to have been used quite recently for a bathroom. An unpleasant stench permeated the air. In addition, a porta potty with a … Read More
Kicking the Homeless (Problem) Down the Road. Now Shelter Has No Place to Pick Up Guests at Night
By Jeremy Reynalds Founder and CEO Joy Junction Inc. We have a caring, giving community in Albuquerque. It’s what makes the city such a special place to live, and why I’ve spent more than half my life here. However, like other cities across the nation, it’s not without its problems. We have a sizeable homeless community; one that is too … Read More
A Divine Appointment
By Jeremy Reynalds, Ph.D. Founder and CEO Joy Junction Inc. It had been a long day, which we ended with a networking event. While good, I nonetheless really wanted to get home, and enjoy the peace and tranquility of home along with my wife Elma. Making our way home, though, usually involves a stop off on the way at Joy … 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
