Joy Junction is a 501(c)(3) faith-based homeless shelter and church ministry that offers emergency and short-term essentials such as food, clothing, counseling, transportation, and shelter to homeless women, children, and families throughout Albuquerque, New Mexico.[1] Joy Junction's guests can also receive other services for their spiritual and emotional needs. Joy Junction's mantra is "giving the homeless a Hand Up, not a handout, to help them get back on their feet." Joy Junction opened in 1986 and has become the largest homeless shelter in New Mexico.[2]
Joy Junction was founded by Dr. Jeremy Reynalds in 1986.[2] Dr. Jeremy Reynalds was born in England and immigrated to the United States in 1978, where he himself was homeless for a time.[3] Dr. Reynalds held a doctorate in intercultural education at Biola University in La Mirada, California. His autobiography is titled From Destitute to Ph.D.: My Homeless Journey.[3] He died in 2018, but his work continues at Joy Junction.[4][5]
Joy Junction's goal is to provide for the basic physical needs, as well as the spiritual needs, of the homeless in Albuquerque.[2] The ministry strives to help adults return to society as active, functional members able to assist others in similar situations. Some neighborhoods have requested that the shelter's mobile truck not operate in their area.[6]
Guests at Joy Junction may stay as long as necessary, including a stay in Joy Junction's long-term transitional housing.[2] Men, women, children, and families in need are accepted at Joy Junction regardless of their race, national origin, sexual orientation, sex, age, color, or religion.[1] On average, Joy Junction serves as many as 300 people per day, including as many as 60 to 80 children; over 16,000 meals are provided to the homeless in Albuquerque every month, and 200,000 every year.[2][7] A thrift shop was added in 2023.[8]
During the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, their shelter accommodated an estimated 300 individuals nightly. They also provided private transportation, as an alternative for public transposition.[9]
Joy Junction relies on donations from individuals and corporations throughout New Mexico. Because Joy Junction is a nonprofit donations-only charitable organization, the ministry receives no federal, state, or local funding.[10] The entire program is funded through donations from individuals, businesses, and churches in and around Albuquerque.[2] Donations and gifts accepted at Joy Junction include:
Among it's public events, was the 2023 Halloween "Trick-or-Treat So Others May Eat" to encourage donations of canned goods.[11]