Mission Statement
Joy Junction provides a hand up to homeless and hungry women, children, and families. With food, shelter, clothing, recovery programs, and life skills training, we empower individuals to re-enter the workforce and break the cycle of homelessness, one life at a time.
Description
Since 1986, Joy Junction has grown to become New Mexico's largest homeless shelter, providing help and hope for the homeless and hungry in the Albuquerque area. Joy Junction offers a "hand up, not a handout" to those in need.
In August of 1986, Joy Junction opened its doors. The shelter makes its home on a 52-acre piece of semi-rural property, the former site of a school. Located at 4500 2nd Street in Albuquerque's South Valley, Joy Junction serves the entire Albuquerque metro area. Anyone who needs help is welcome, without regard to race, color, age, national origin, sexual orientation or religion. The shelter provides both emergency and longer-term services for homeless individuals and families.
Joy Junction provides three meals a day, seven days a week, and houses as many as 300 women, children, and families a day. In one month, the shelter serves about 10,000 meals to its guests on site. In addition, the Lifeline of Hope mobile food wagon serves about 6,000 meals a month and distributes blankets and personal hygiene supplies to the homeless and hungry at various locations in the Albuquerque area.
The nine-month life recovery program, available to all Joy Junction residents, teaches a variety of skills necessary for entry-level employment and independent living. The recovery class also addresses those factors that contribute to alcohol and drug addictions and other harmful behaviors. Many program graduates receive help in finding employment and transitional housing, then re-enter the ranks of the tax-paying employed. Those qualified may be offered an entry-level staff position at Joy Junction.
The shelter also provides transportation. Joy Junction's van logs thousands of miles yearly, bringing people to the shelter or taking them to medical appointments, counseling services, job interviews, or work.
