Spring is approaching quickly and with this beautiful season of rebirth and growth comes anticipation for the next Joy House Annual Banquet. It’s hard to find a more beautiful spot to gather with friends and supporters than YoungLife’s SharpTop Cove. You’re invited to join us this year on Tuesday, April 23, 2024 at SharpTop Cove as we focus on the theme “From Darkness to Light.”
Join us as we celebrate how through God’s power we are seeing teens and families come out of the darkness of sin and hopelessness to the light of God’s love and redemption through our Teen Residential Program and Community Counseling Center. We hope you’ll go ahead and save this date in your calendar and plan to join us for an evening of fellowship and inspiration over a delicious meal. You can RSVP today by emailing steve@thejoyhouse.org. |
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We are actively seeking individuals who are interested in serving our ministry by being table hosts for the evening. A table host invites guests to fill a table of 8, including themselves. There is no cost to host a table. At the end of the evening, we present an opportunity for all of our guests to give or partner with our ministry as they are led by the Lord. If you would like to serve as a table host please email Steve at steve@thejoyhouse.org for further information.
Whether you can join us physically or not, we ask that you please begin joining us now in praying over the individuals that will fill the room that night or be watching virtually via YouTube, that they would be encouraged, and God’s light would shine brightly into their hearts so that they may reflect his light to others. |
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| I have had the privilege of volunteering as the physical fitness instructor for the boys at the Joy House since April 2023. This honor provides me with a unique opportunity to mentor these boys in physical activities like sports, fishing, hiking and swimming. Recently the boys participated in a unique program designed by public safety at Bent Tree. The Bent Tree Community is located very close to the Joy House and has a full Public Safety operation within the community. The goal of the program was to provide career exposure to the Fire Services, Law Enforcement and Emergency Medical Services. Like many high school boys their career future is uncertain. This program was aimed at providing them with some insight and hands on experience into what these fulfilling careers are and potentially spark some interest.
Assistant Fire Chief John Hawkins along with Lieutenant Childers, led an informative Firefighter session. The initial instruction was conducted in the classroom with Assistant Chief Hawkins providing insight from his 35+ year career as a New York Fireman. The boys actively participated and asked many interesting questions. The next segment was conducted at the fire house where Chief Hawkins and Lieutenant Childers provided some hands-on experience with the fire truck and many of the tools a fireman would use at an actual fire. The boys worked with the forceable entry tools that are used to gain entry into a building through a door. The boys had the opportunity to put on SBA (self-contained breathing apparatus) which can be a critical piece of equipment to wear when putting out a fire. The boys got to pick up and see how heavy a hydraulic claw is. This tool is used to get someone out of their car if they are pinned in after a wreck. The boys also got to work with ropes and learned different knots and how they can be used to host equipment to the roof of a building.
The next week Head of Public Safety, Michael Koorey, provided great insight into his 15-year career as a police officer in Hapeville and Johns Creek. Michael focused his discussion on why he became a police officer, what the police academy was like, guidance on what steps to take after High School if interested in becoming a police officer, how much money you can expect to make and what were some of his best and worst experiences. It was a lively discussion and the boy showed great interest and had lots of questions.
The next session focused on first aid. We talked about CPR and basic wound care. The boys did hands on training on how to properly use a tourniquet. They had fun working on George, the firehouse test dummy, and what to do if he was unconscious and laying on a hot extension cord. Most of the boys knew exactly what to do! They unplugged the extension cord before assisting. In real life, many people would try to help the person by touching them to see if they are ok and, in the process, likely dying from electrocution.
I believe the education the boys received from these civil service careers left them with a better understanding of these career possibilities and provided them exposure they likely would never get at a traditional High School. |
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| We are currently seeking a married couple for a full-time house-parenting position in our boy’s home. No prior experience is needed, as training will be provided. Must be a mature Christian couple that has a strong desire to share Christ’s love with the teens and their families. Applicants must be married at least 3 years with no more than 2 children of their own. While modeling a Christian family, we ask the house-parents to provide care, nurturing, and structure for up to five teen boys. They are supported by a five-person treatment team all focused on helping one another serve the teen and family in need. To apply, candidates should email their resumes with a cover letter to Steve Lowe(steve@thejoyhouse.org), Executive Director and we will contact you.
Click here for job posting |
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| What does a graduation say about a resident at the Joy House? Graduations are celebratory ceremonies that typically represent grand accomplishments focused on a single endeavor. While all graduations represent wonderful achievements, Joy House graduations represent teen boys and girls who have overcome several challenges and conquered a whole host of accomplishments. Getting back on track with school, learning real-world cleaning and work skills, improving communications techniques, learning to forgive and be forgiven, picking healthy traits and letting go of toxic habits all represent just a few of the items that our residents have triumphed over by the time they reach their graduation ceremony.
Carolyn Williams is certainly a resident who has shown courage, humility and the willingness to grow since entering into the program in March of 2023. While residing at the Joy House, Carolyn quickly showed the potential of leadership with such traits as a strong sense of responsibility, the willingness to tell the truth, a hard work ethic and strength in her academic pursuits. She also had a dedicated family who celebrated her accomplishments and supported her through challenges, which always adds extra propulsion to the journeys of our residents. Though we were sad to see Carolyn leave the program, we celebrated her graduating and fully reuniting with her family with a new outlook on life. It is genuinely a joy to see our residents complete the program with new skills, a stronger education and brighter attitude, knowing that they are going back into their world more equipped to live for Christ and to better cement their future during their remaining teenage years. We are praying and believing for the best for Carolyn, her family and the things to come in their lives! |
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Have you ever considered introducing The Joy House ministry to other friends? We’re looking for some existing partner/friends who would like to host a dessert in their home and invite 6-12 other people to hear about The Joy House. Over the years, I’ve found this is a great way to personally interact and share the ministry. I’m looking for ways to continue growing our partner base as we expanded those we’re serving.
These would include providing a simple dessert and beverages with a brief fellowship time. I would then share a presentation regarding The Joy House, providing time for our guests to ask questions after the presentation.
If you would be interested in hosting a dessert please reach out to me via email: steve@thejoyhouse.org or via phone at 706-253-7569. Thanks so much for your consideration and I hope to hear from some of you. |
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