Facing its Own Needs, Homeless Ministry Offers to Help Victims of Hurricane Katrina
By Joy Junction (09/03/05)
(Albuquerque) Despite its own need for donations, Joy Junction, New Mexico's largest homeless shelter for women and families is reaching out to its neighbors in need in the hard hit areas of Louisiana and Mississippi, still reeling from the aftereffects of Hurricane Katrina.
Joy Junction Founder and Executive Director Jeremy Reynalds said, "Even in our own condition of need, we must help our neighbors. The devastation in that area is worst than expected and we need to share whatever we have with those individuals, on both a physical, as well as a spiritual, level."
He added, "Although we are in need ourselves at the shelter, especially when it comes to providing three meals per day and other needed services for our approximately 200 guests, we believe that we must share whatever we can, as we're able, and there's an obviously great need at this time."
Reynalds added, "We have made enquiries about the donation of a temporary stand-alone structure to place on our 52-acre property that could house some of those being evacuated from the devastated areas. It's a structure similar to our thrift store. Of course, even if that particular donation doesn't work out, we could still accommodate a limited number of families from the areas hardest hit by Hurricane Katrina."
Reynalds added that any help the shelter was able to provide would be done so in conjunction with the appropriate county and state officials.
Commenting on the help already being provided to hurricane victims, Reynalds said "It's so fortunate that there are people in our great country who are able to give generously to those who have lost everything in this awful disaster."
However, Reynalds said, while he applauds the charitable spirit that's being manifested, local needs still continue for the homeless in America and the variety of other individuals served by the nation's faith-based ministries such as Joy Junction.
With that in mind, Reynalds said (without in any way detracting from the terrible effects of Hurricane Katrina), he is hoping that area residents will not forget Joy Junction and other area ministries that serve the needy and homeless.
"We need an outpouring of giving for local needs," Reynalds said, "a wave of financial and prayerful support that washes over not only Joy Junction, but all the other non-profit agencies and ministries in Albuquerque and around the country that rely on God's goodness and public generosity for their support."
Reynalds added, "The sudden upsurge in gas prices has made things especially difficult for us. It's an unplanned, unbudgeted expense that we need to cover and not something that we can really cut back on. While a number of our guests have cars, many don't, and we transport them from a variety of places to our South Valley location. I'm hoping that Albuquerqueans will also rally with us and other area ministries, as well, in taking care of the needs in Louisiana."
For additional information, please call Jeremy Reynalds at (505) 400-7145 or (505) 877-6967.
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