[ May 13, 2024 ] The Joy House Annual Banquet was held at SharpTop Cove on Tuesday, April 23rd. Approximately 400 guests gathered to support the nonprofit and celebrate its 23rd year of ministry, which includes three residential homes and a community counseling center.

Darren Lane, Director of Residential Therapy, thanked attendees for being there and listening to the story of the ministry, encouraging them to spread the word, particularly to Gilmer and Dawson counties, as the Counseling Center hopes to increase services to those areas.

Analytics of The Joy House's client base proves that depression and anxiety continue to be prevalent. Lane emphasized that the center sees clients at "any age for whatever reason" as they purpose to carry on in their mission with complete reliance on their "one true hope, in the person of Jesus Christ."

Rebecca Hampton, equine therapist and Director of The Ranch of Hope and Healing, shared her testimony of how The Joy House Counseling Center has impacted her own family by helping her with her adopted daughter. She views the Joy House as her partner in raising her daughter to give her the "tools that she needs" to thrive.

Executive Director, Steve Lowe, reviewed the three parts of the Residential Program: home life, an accredited school, and therapy. He explained that the character-driven program benefits teens who thrive in a self-paced, home-like environment. The ministry has served residents from 22 Georgia counties over the last five years, with Cherokee, Pickens, Hall, Cobb, and Fulton ranking as the top five sources.

Pastor Eddie Rhodes of Woodstock Church Jasper said The Joy House is a ministry that is "easy to partner with." Admitting that counseling was not his gift, he shared his gratitude for this ministry for his church members. Rhodes believes it to be a ministry that makes an "eternal difference" in the lives of those it serves.

The banquet closed with Eden, Angela, and Sherry sharing their experience with the Residential Program. Angela's grandmother Sherry shared how her granddaughter went into a "crisis stage" during high school where she felt like she "couldn't reach her." Angela recalled vaping, skipping classes, and almost failing school. Sherry knew their family needed intensive help, and The Joy House was the resource they needed. Since going through the program, Sherry feels she "got [her] girl back." Angela graduated from The Joy House Academy and plans to attend college in the fall.

Eden stated, "Thanks to The Joy House, I'll graduate two years early in May and plan to go to the University of North Georgia," where she hopes to pursue a career in occupational therapy. She believes the staff at The Joy House guided her to find her "worth in God, not in other people."

The evening raised approximately $85,000; however, with the program still absorbing the increased operating costs of opening their third home, their annual budget is approximately $750,000. With the ministry's commitment to offering services based on ability-to-pay, they must continue to partner with the community for financial support.

To invest in this ministry, visit thejoyhouse.org online or by texting "GIVE" to 770.692.3722.

For more information about The Joy House, visit thejoyhouse.org, call 706-253-7569, or email info@thejoyhouse.org.