Joy Junction: "A Hand Up, Not a Hand Out"   

 Poverty and homelessness is an issue that many experience, but few understand.  As part of the seminar week, the group toured a privately-run facility called Joy Junction.  Located in southern Albuquerque, this organization focuses on keeping family units together and safe off the streets.  The tour was led by Mr. Patrick Hankins, the primary volunteer coordinator for Joy Junction.  He began by giving us the program’s history.  The non-profit was established in 1986, after its founder, Dr. Jeremy Reynalds found himself in a situation he never thought he would be in; homeless.  From this experience he built Joy Junction from the ground up, with the goal to keep family units together after severe hardship.

 
Mr. Hankins discussing the children's learning center

Families and individuals must first go through a screening process, but once accepted into their long-term program, they are provided resources and tools they need to help them get back on their feet.  The longest people can stay is nine months, but very few stay that long. Children can still go to school and are provided tutoring as needed. Residents are expected work to help maintain the buildings, do laundry, or serve meals. This gives people a sense of structure and responsibility that they can use to help get re acclimated into the world. There are rules to abide by and if broken, people are asked to leave immediately.

The facility is clean with plenty of amenities for residents’ thanks solely to private donations.  At its capacity, Joy Junction can house up to 300 people and will distribute on average 16000 meals each month.  Meals are provided to both residence and delivered to communities in need. Mr. Hankins’ passion for his role was evident.  It takes people like him to help keep the door open and Dr. Reynalds’ legacy alive. The take home message is that everyone has their own story, own reason for ending up homeless. The most poignant part of the tour for me was seeing an elderly woman sitting quietly alone eating a snack.  What was her story?  It’s not for us to judge, but for us to understand and lend a hand. 

If you would like to volunteer, donate, or just learn more visit:

 
https://www.joyjunction.org/ 


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