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

Homeless Violence. What’s the Answer?

By Jeremy Reynalds, Ph.D. Founder and CEO Joy Junction Inc. The horrific recent killings of two homeless men in Albuquerque by three teenagers has generated numerous opinions about the motivation for the senseless act. An Albuquerque Journal article  reported that an 18-year-old neighbor who knew the three said the youngest of the accused killers was concerned about homeless people hanging … Read More

No Easy Fix-but Family’s Commitment is Paying Off

By Jeremy Reynalds, Ph.D. Founder and CEO Joy Junction Inc. There’s no easy solution for those walking the road to recovery. Most of our Joy Junction guests didn’t end up in their current situation overnight, and it usually takes a while for them to get back on their feet again. Sometimes it takes two or three-or even more-attempts. That’s the … Read More

Food Envy: Shelter Food Pictures Make Woman Upset

By Jeremy Reynalds, Ph.D. Founder and CEO Joy Junction Inc. It was just a simple and routine post on our Joy Junction Facebook page and a few other social media as well. The words read, “Our guests enjoyed posole with beef, chile and a tortilla topped off with ice cream (not together!). Was your lunch as good? #jjmeals #hungryinalbuquerque I … Read More

Joy Junction Running Out of Food Staples. Shelter Feeding More than 16,000 Meals a Month

Media Release from Joy Junction Contact Jeremy Reynalds at 505 400 7145 Homeless men, women and families continue in droves to call Joy Junction –Albuquerque’s largest emergency homeless shelter — for a ride to warmth, safety and a hot meal. Shelter officials say the 28-year-old ministry has been sheltering hundreds nightly and feeding more than 16,000 meals a month. These … Read More

Dying to Live. Family Copes With Homelessness and Two Sick Parents  

By Jeremy Reynalds, Ph.D. Founder and CEO Joy Junction Inc.   The Gantz Family How would you feel if your ordinary day turned into one not so ordinary with the imposition of a death sentence? That was what happened to Joy Junction resident James Gantz, 57, in Oct. 2013. He’d been having a lot of pain and along with his … Read More

Celebrate but Remember the Homeless

By Jeremy Reynalds, Ph.D. Founder and CEO Joy Junction Inc. 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 four years ago just prior to July 4 ago came to mind. While out on the streets … Read More

Recovery: Often the Difference Between Life and Death

By Jeremy Reynalds, Ph.D. Founder and CEO Joy Junction Inc. Motivations for recovery “down to earth and even timeless.” Joy Junction’s nine month life recovery program can often mean the difference between life and death – both emotionally and physically- for many of its participants. Based on the Tyndale House Life Recovery Bible, the Christ in Power Program- known as CIPP- … Read More