As 2022 was closing there was a significant change coming to our staff. Additionally, we were spending time evaluating some of the trends in residential care and our counseling center ministry. With these things in mind we took some time with our board and key staff to evaluate where we are and how we could best position the ministry to continue quality Christ-centered care in both our residential program and counseling center while also considering possible other areas we could minister. I now want to share some of that with you as our partners.
First, Abby Elam, who has directed our counseling center since late 2020 and who has served here with the ministry since 2017 made a decision to pursue further education full-time. Abby is a tremendously gifted counselor and has been a vital role of our staff. The Lord has used her as an agent of healing for many here at The Joy House during the last 5 years. We wish her the very best as she pursues her Masters in Counseling.
As I considered Abby’s departure and leadership for our counseling center it gave me pause to assess where we are and what we do here at The Joy House. I invited our board and other key staff into that discussion. One thing became obvious. We realized that counseling is central in all of our ministry, both in the residential program and the counseling center. Additionally in thinking about other potential areas of ministry it seems counseling will always play a role as we engage in seeking healing for those we serve. We also realized we would like to be more intentional in fostering a more collaborative relationship between our residential program and counseling center. In considering all these things we are unifying the leadership of our residential program and counseling center under Darren Lane, as our Director of Programs. Darren has served faithfully here for 15+ years. For the last several years he has served as our Director of Residential Therapy overseeing our teen residential program. He is a gifted counselor with many years of experience serving teens and families in our residential program. In this new role he will be providing leadership, direction, oversight, mentorship and care for all our staff serving in the teen-residential program and counseling center.
Quality Christ-centered care will continue to be provided in both programs. Additionally, we are excited about new opportunities to serve as we prepare to open the new girls home and relaunch the boy’s home. Our counseling center continues to experience a high volume of demand as we served 160+ new clients during 2022. We also are evaluating other possible ways to serve and believe this structure will allow us to take advantage of those opportunities as the Lord presents them. Please join us in praying for the Lord’s continued guidance, provision, and protection. Pray specifically for the Lord to bring us the right couple to serve as house parents in our boys' home and for Christ-centered counselors to join our team to serve in both the counseling center and teen-residential program.
We are grateful for your continued partnership in making a difference in the lives of those we serve. |
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| | | We wish Abby Elam the very best as she pursues he Masters in Counseling. |
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| | | Darren Lane our new Director of Programs for The Joy House. |
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We are seeking a Christian counselor skilled in biblical pastoral counseling for our counseling center. Preffered 2 years experience practicing pastoral counseling. To apply, candidate should email their resume and cover letter to Steve Lowe our Executive Director at steve@thejoyhouse.org.
"Pastoral counselors recognize that each individual has emotions, desires, will, and intellect and they strive to offer individuals support in all of these areas. Pastoral counselors receive their direction through the infallible word of God and are guided by the Holy Spirit through prayer. It is within a “grace and truth” framework that pastoral counselors approach their sessions with each individual." -thejoyhouse.org |
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The school days at The Joy House Academy are typically tightly structured: school starts at 9:30, we have a break, we have lunch, and we go home at 3:30. In between, students work at their cubicles on their individual academics, getting assistance as they need it. The established structure and routine are helpful in providing the stable, secure environment necessary for achievement. Every now and then, however, a break can offer some novelty and be refreshing. That’s where Mrs. Tina Mabry comes in.
Mrs. Tina played volleyball at the college level and continues to play on an adult team. She is a former head volleyball coach at the North Georgia Christian Academy; when she volunteered to do PE with our students, we eagerly said, “Yes!” Since she began volunteering every other week, our students have had the opportunity to play volleyball, basketball, pickle ball, and cornhole. We’ve gone hiking at Amicalola Falls, and even got to drive go-Karts at AMP racing!
When the weather is inclement, or on special occasions like Christmas or Valentine’s Day, Mrs. Tina has fun inside activities, like games and cookie-making, that lead to lots of laughing and camaraderie.
Something that makes Mrs. Tina extra special is her love of God and her desire to share it with our students. She understands some of the obstacles our students face because she faced them herself as a child. Ms. Tina’s athletic and life experience have enriched our students’ time here; she has been such a welcome addition to the ministry; we are privileged and honored to have her serve at The Joy House Academy.
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| We are getting so close to being finished on our new girls' home build. Now is the time where the interior of the home is getting the finishing touches. There are fans and lights being hung while the cabinets and floors are getting finished. Each and every room is full of light and you can see how amazing each room will look finished. We are so grateful for all the help on the journey this new home has taken. Here are a few photos so you can see how far we have come on this new build. |
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