[ June 05, 2025 ] "What if The Joy House never existed? Would you be ok with that?" This was the question asked by Eddie Staub, Founder of Eagle Ranch in Flowery Branch, GA, to the approximate 400 attendees of The Joy House Annual Banquet as they reflected over the last 24 years of The Joy House's impact.

Joy House Executive Director, Steve Lowe, introduced Eddie as a "great mentor" who has invested in his life encouraging Lowe to continue to serve the north Georgia community via the Joy House since 2001. Eddie commended Lowe on his perseverance and his team at The Joy House for "taking their stewardship of [the Joy House] mission seriously." The ministry's mission is to provide Christ-centered restorative care to struggling teens, families and individuals.

The banquet took place at YoungLife's SharpTop Cove on Tuesday, April 29th. Guests gathered to learn more about The Joy House and support the nonprofit, which includes three residential homes and a community counseling center.

There are three parts to the Residential Program: home life, a self-paced accredited school, and therapy. Lowe explained that the character-driven program benefits teens who thrive in a home-like environment. The Residential Program has served over 200 teens including residents from 22 Georgia counties. Over the last five years, Cherokee County residents represent the majority of the families served with over twenty percent of the teens coming from this county.

The Counseling Center has offices in Ellijay and Jasper and under the new leadership of their Director, Andy Craddock, serves people of all ages in all seasons of life by "walking beside" them offering Christian friendship and discipleship. They have served clients as far south as Holly Springs and as far north as Blue Ridge. Whatever the client is struggling with they focus on introducing the idea or reminding their clients in the belief that they are a "child of the King."

Both the Residential Program and Counseling Center collect client fees based on what the client can afford and will never turn someone away due to finances. This is why the banquet and other fundraising efforts, including a Pickleball tournament and Golf Tournament, are critical to their bottom line. Participation slots, volunteer opportunities and sponsorships are available for both.

Several moving testimonies were shared from both the Residential Program and Counseling Center. Local worship pastor, Slater K., expressed how grateful he was that The Joy House is easily accessible to the community and how the counseling he has received there has helped him overcome unwarranted shame and guilt for struggling with anxiety as a ministry leader.

Former resident, Riley and her mother, Jessica, testified that The Joy House was divine intervention for their family with Riley stating "I really do think the Joy House saved my life."

Lastly, Angela, a current girl's home resident stated that The Joy House helped "change [her] point of view of [her] past" and she is looking forward to graduating and pursuing a career in emergency medicine as a way to give back to others in crisis. These testimonies and more can be viewed online at The Joy House's YouTube channel or Facebook page.

The evening raised approximately $90,000; however this is short of their goal for the event. With the ministry's commitment to offering services based on ability-to-pay, they must continue to partner with the community for financial support.

If you want to join the mission of helping The Joy House to continue to exist, thrive and serve the north Georgia community, visit thejoyhouse.org online, text "GIVE" to 770.692.3722, or send a Venmo to @TheJoyHouse. For more information about The Joy House, visit thejoyhouse.org, call 706-253-7569, or email info@thejoyhouse.org.