Albuquerque Businesswoman Pours Heart And Soul Into Helping Joy Junction
By Jeremy Reynalds (03/22/05)
Professionally trained as a graphic designer, Albuquerque businesswoman Kim Thrasher has been putting her talents to good use to help Joy Junction – New Mexico's largest emergency homeless shelter.
Thrasher has singlehandedly put together the "Albuquerque Dining Club." Participants pay $35.00 for a membership that allows them to access two-for-one-specials at a variety of restaurants spread across Albuquerque.
$10.00 from every $35 club membership is being donated to Joy Junction (www.joyjunction.org), New Mexico's largest emergency homeless shelter, of which I am the founder and director.
In a recent interview, Thrasher told me why she decided to begin her charitable work by giving to the homeless.
She said, "If I were in that position I would like people to help me. My giving is an act of service."
I asked Thrasher how she came up with the Dining Club concept, which also includes a menu guide. She said for years she had used a similar concept marketed nationally but it always lacked one thing, "a menu guide. Many times I would flip through (this other product) and wish there was a menu. If I hadn't heard of the place and didn't know what they served, I typically wouldn't even try it."
So with that in mind, Thrasher decided to launch a program containing the essential missing ingredient – a menu guide.
THE WOMAN BEHIND THE ALBUQUERQUE DINING CLUB
But just as unique as Thrasher's beautifully designed menu guide is the designer herself. The unassuming woman – dressed casually but stylishly for our interview in a red sweater, blue jeans and a black jacket – has invested most of her savings into the Albuquerque Dining Club, taking a risk with her financial livelihood that not many people are willing to assume.
Explaining why she would do this, Thrasher said "I have a passion for this program and I would never know if it would have worked unless I had taken this chance."
With memberships now on sale, Thrasher is excited but admitted to being a little nervous. "A lot is riding on this," she said. "I want to bring the restaurants a lot of business. I want the public to be happy with the program. I want to make money for Joy Junction. I want to meet everyone's expectations."
Smiling, Thrasher added as an afterthought, "And I'm willing to do this for a homeless shelter because if it fails you will have a place for me to live!"
REACTION TO THRASHER'S VENTURE
Initial reaction from friends to her efforts, Thrasher said, was split between those who owned their own businesses and understood what she was trying to do and those who had no idea at all what she was trying to accomplish.
Describing the best reaction to her entrepreneurial plans, Thrasher's eyes sparkled. She said one friend told her, "It's taken me many years to get where I've gotten now and I've had many failed businesses. But you've got a good thing (going) and I want to (encourage) you."
That comment really touched Thrasher. "If it wasn't for my friends who own their own businesses," she said, "I wouldn't have the encouragement I need to do what I'm doing."
The most discouraging reaction, Thrasher said, was from a friend who laughed at her and derisively said, "Why don't you get a job just like everyone else?"
But as financially secure as a lifestyle in corporate America may have been for Thrasher, she couldn't work there if she was to honor the calling that the Lord had on her life.
"I had too many ideas that I wanted to implement," she said. "The confinements that corporate America demanded weren't for me. I wanted to make the world a better place and I couldn't do that there."
THRASHER'S PHILOSOPHY
But Thrasher, who is a very down to earth person and who described herself in "geek speak" (computer lingo) as being WYSIWYG – or what you see is what you get – is far from being a touchy-feely liberal do-gooder.
The cornerstone of her philosophy is rooted in the Biblical verses of Matthew 25: 35-36. In "The Message" Bible those verses read (http://biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matthew+25&version=65), "I was hungry and you fed me, I was thirsty and you gave me a drink, I was homeless and you gave me a room,
I was shivering and you gave me clothes, I was sick and you stopped to visit, I was in prison and you came to me."
And that, Thrasher said, is what homeless shelters do like Joy Junction do.
As Thrasher's program expands in months and years to come, she said the groups to whom she donates will share that same philosophy.
She said, "I want to give to ministries that God gives me a heart for, those that help people change their lives and hopefully bring them closer to Christ."
THE LIFE OF AN ENTREPRENEUR
Thrasher has taken the graphic design talents she has been blessed with and used them to design the Dining Club's menu guide and punch card.
"I have always been really creative," Thrasher said. "I have always wanted to be an artist and I knew that God would use these talents."
I had to agree with her. Thrasher's graphic design talents are unsurpassed. The professional look of the menu guide and punch card are on a par with expensive programs that are developed nationally by both big and well-funded corporations.
Like most other entrepreneurs who operate start ups, Thrasher – who described herself as "very motivated" – works seven days a week.
But she loves her busy schedule and also enjoys being able to work from home. "I love going to work," she said. "I have a very inviting atmosphere in my office. I look forward to what I do."
However, Thrasher confided, she still finds time to play volleyball and take in some movies.
MY REACTION
Over the years Joy Junction has been burned by a number of individuals who have approached us with fund raising ideas. So I don't mind admitting that I was skeptical when Thrasher first approached us a few months ago.
But the more I get to know Thrasher the more amazed I am at what she is attempting to accomplish.
One thing she told me in our interview especially stood out. She said, "I have a passion for this program and I would never know if it would have worked unless I had taken this chance."
Isn't that what life is all about? Taking a leap of faith for the Lord? While I'm not advocating financial irresponsibility or presumption, I can't help but wonder how many people will come to the end of their life and have a case of the "What if's?"
"What if I'd left my financially secure job and gone to seminary for pastoral training?" "What if I'd obeyed that missionary call I felt the Lord was prodding me about?" "What if I had taken that job offer to do inner city ministry?" "What if I had started my own business?"
While I believe that Thrasher's Albuquerque Dining Club is going to be a success (and I hope you will pray for that), whatever the ultimate outcome is, she will never be afflicted with the "what if's?"
Thrasher is living her dream and enjoying it. So from a fledgling entrepreneur (Thrasher) and from someone who has started two homeless shelters (me), I hope you will also consider living your dream. The risks are well worth the spiritual and emotional fulfilment.
For additional information about Thrasher and the Albuquerque Dining Club you may e-mail her at kimthrasher@comcast.net or call her at (505) 792-LIFE (5433).
Thrasher's web site, which is not yet operational, will be www.cityclubcard.com.
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