Jeremy Reynalds, founder and CEO of the largest homeless shelter in the US state of New Mexico, has died at the age of 60.
Dr Jeremy Reynalds.
Dr Reynalds, a contributor to ASSIST News Service (some of his stories have also been republished on Sight), founded Joy Junction in Albuquerque in 1986 to aid homeless families in the city. The organisation now shelters as many as 300 people each night and provides more than 16,000 meals every month.
Brian Nixon, secretary to the Joy Junction board of directors, said Dr Reynalds was “an example of Jesus Christ’s love to so many people”. “His commitment to breaking the cycle of homelessness reached thousands of lives.”
Born in the UK, Dr Reynalds emigrated to the US in 1978 and became a US citizen. His commitment to helping displaced and forgotten members of the community was partly due to a period of time he spent homeless after arriving in the US and, as well as founding Joy Junction, it led him to create annual pre-Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day meals for homeless people living in Albuquerque.
Dr Reynalds, who went on to obtain a master’s degree in communication from the University of New Mexico and a doctorate in intercultural education from Biola University, also served as a pastor and Bible study leader. He recounted his life story in his 2014 book, From Destitute to PhD.
Dr Reynald’s death followed a long-term illness. He is survived by his wife Elma as well as five sons and eight grandchildren.
Dan Wooding, founder of ASSIST News Service, described Dr Reynalds as a deeply compassionate man as well as a talented writer on behalf of the homeless and downtrodden.
“We were honoured to run his many stories on ANS, but he would never write about his illness, preferring to highlight those who had no voice. The world has suffered a great loss with his passing, but Heaven has gained another great saint of the gutters.”
