Joy Junction Commemorates the Life of Leader and Founder
Dr. Jeremy Reynalds Was a Champion for Albuquerque’s Homeless Families
For Immediate Release: July 11, 2018
Media Contact: Tom Garrity (505) 898-8689 x201
Albuquerque, NM – Joy Junction today announced that founder and CEO Dr. Jeremy Reynalds has died after courageously and prayerfully fighting a long-term illness. He was 60.
Dr. Reynalds was committed to providing for the basic physical and spiritual needs of Albuquerque’s homeless. He founded Joy Junction in 1986 and focused on sheltering and serving homeless families throughout the city. Today, Joy Junction shelters as many as 300 people each night and provides more than 16,000 meals every month, making it New Mexico’s largest homeless shelter.
“Dr. Reynalds was an example of Jesus Christ’s love to so many people,” said Brian Nixon, secretary the Joy Junction Board of Directors. “His commitment to breaking the cycle of homelessness reached thousands of lives.”
Born in England, Dr. Reynalds immigrated to the US in 1978 and gained his U.S. Citizenship. His commitment to helping displaced and forgotten members of the community originated, in part, from the time he spent homeless after arriving in the U.S. After founding Joy Junction and beginning his life’s work, Dr. Reynalds returned to school, receiving a master’s degree in communication from the University of New Mexico and a Ph.D. in intercultural education from Biola University.
Dr. Reynalds created annual pre-Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day meals for Albuquerque’s homeless community, which serve more than 1,200 people each year. In addition to his passion for feeding and sheltering Albuquerque’s homeless, Dr. Reynalds found his highest calling as a pastor and leader of bible studies, spreading hope and a message of love to those bereft of both.
An eloquent author, Dr. Reynalds regularly penned articles and blog posts, writing for the ASSIST News Service as well as Joy Junction’s website. Published in 2014, his book “From Destitute to Ph.D.,” detailed the remarkable story of his life and mission.
In light of his passing, the work of Joy Junction continues to move forward, offering emergency and short-term shelter to homeless women, children and families throughout Albuquerque. Dr. Reynalds is survived by his wife, Elma Reynalds, as well as five sons and eight grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, his family asks that contributions be made to Joy Junction. Funeral arrangements are ongoing and not yet completed.
About Joy Junction
Joy Junction has been helping the homeless of Albuquerque for 32 years. In 1986, Jeremy Reynalds founded Joy Junction, now New Mexico’s largest emergency homeless shelter, in Albuquerque’s South Valley. Joy Junction currently serves as many as 300 people every night at their main homeless shelter — and hundreds more through their mobile food outreach. Monthly, Joy Junction serves more than 16,000 meals to those in need.
