By Nat Teska-Prince
In this edition of ‘Volunteer Spotlight’, we shine the light on a woman whose passion for her community and dedication to the program truly embodies what it means to be one of Joi’s Angels. Meet Kim- an Atlanta native who has been working faithfully alongside Mark and Joi for the past three years. Kim grew up in a military family, and graduated high school in the class of ‘91 from a Department of Defense school in Germany. She believes her upbringing and the unique structure of her childhood play a role in her desire to contribute:
“I’m from a family of givers and volunteers, and that’s something my parents had always instilled in us- I’ve carried that through my adult life and always wanted to make certain that was something I implemented as I grew.”
Kim believes that there is a certain level of discipline it takes to commit yourself to giving back and being selfless, something she grew up valuing and believing in.
Prior to her involvement with Joi’s Angels, Kim attended American International University (AIU) where she studied interior design and marketing for two years, and also worked for the interior design industry living in Manhattan for three years, before Covid and the rising cost of living eventually convinced her to move to New Jersey.
Roughly three years ago, Kim recalls going through a ‘patchy’ time in her own life. It was thanks to Joi and Mark, whose help she describes as ‘instrumental’, that she was able to get back on her feet with integrity. Since then, Kim has been motivated as ever to lift people out of the dark place she was once in.
Currently, Kim volunteers in two key roles within the program. She works a couple times a month at Joi’s Angels food pantry, and a couple times weekly at the thrift store. She enjoys assisting community members with clothing, including those recently released from incarceration, with getting attire to start working.
When asked about a specific experience or moment that has defined her calling to serve- Kim spoke about an experience working with a displaced young man that symbolized what her work is all about. “He was a new father, and had been in a horrific accident. It really compromised his health and his mental stability due to repercussions from a head injury. That particular day, I knew he was in a place of desperation and felt as if he had nowhere else to go. God brought him to Joi’s Angels, and when he walked in the door, he was literally in tears. I told him that whatever he was going through, he was in the right place.”
Kim remembers that she, along with Mark and Joi, were able to come up with a solution, providing the family with supplies for their baby and pouring into them emotionally.
“He was able to leave us with not only food for his family, but food for his soul. He let us know that, prior to coming to us, he didn’t know where he was going to go or what he was going to do.”
In the future, Kim looks to build upon what she has already learned while finding bigger and better ways to help her community. Alongside Joi and Mark, she is blessed to be able to proceed in her walk of humility- and stay humble while doing it.