Joi’s Angels’ was founded in East Orange New Jersey by Mark and Joi Smith in the summer of 2004. The initial idea was to create a safe haven, and place of refuge for the under-served population of Essex and Union Counties. Remarkably, it has bloomed into so much more.
After overcoming personal tragedies and the disappointments that often plague urban life, Executive Director, Co-Founder, and Visionary Mark Smith, vowed to build an organization that would` provide support to displaced persons, utilizing a dignified and non-judgmental approach. To Mark, homeless, ex-offender, drug addicted, or any other societal or clinical title given persons experiencing a “difficult moment” in their lives was simply that, a “difficult moment” in life, and did not have to translate into a perpetual state of being. Yet what would be the catalysis in making this a reality for those trapped in the cycle of poverty and despair? Thus, he enlisted the assistance of his wife Joi Smith, a veteran administrator within the field of community supportive services, and together they created and tasked Joi’s Angels to be that catalysis for “real” life change.Joi Smith, Assistant Director and Co-Founder of Joi’s Angels began her career of service, by volunteering with The First Presbyterian Baptist Church in Elizabeth, New Jersey. Shortly thereafter, she was promoted from within to Pantry Administrator and Organizational Event Manager of the ministries Community Outreach Division. Her affinity for order, flair for sales, and dexterity in getting the job done right, made her the perfect partner to help Joi’s Angels grow wings.
Combining their expertise in Cultural and Urban Affairs, along with the ability to connect with decision makers in all areas of government, and corporations within the private and public sectors, Joi’s Angels has effectuated a documented trend in the decrease of hunger and poverty among the LMI population within Northern New Jersey. Today, Joi’s Angels has transcended from being just a shelter and emergency services organization. Currently, Joi’s Angels, provides wholesome groceries, “farmer’s market” fresh fruit, produce, meats, and fish to over 2,000 families per month. In addition, Mark and Joi have expanded their mission by creating a Community Outreach and Resource Division, dedicated to improving the generational eating habits and food preparation standards of seniors, LMI adults, children, and families in crisis, by conducting in-house cooking demonstrations, as well as designing nutritious recipe leaflets, directly correlated to the monthly food pantry items disseminated to promote healthy living and quality lifestyles. Even through expansion and increased demand, Joi’s Angels continues to remain focused on its core goals of providing emergency food, toiletries, clothing, diapers, furniture, and essential supplies to all in need, with a target of reaching lives within the Essex and Union counties of New Jersey. Additionally, Joi’s Angels partners with various human services agencies to not only transition displaced persons from homelessness to “a place they can call home’ whether on a temporary or permanent basis, but to also assist in providing appropriate work gear and attire to those entering the workforce.
From an initial vision coupled with stellar ground support, Joi’s Angels has risen to a level of immediate brand recognition within the niche population it serves. It is also known as a trusted partner to its industries’ base, businesses, and institutions alike. Moving Forward, Joi’s Angels commits to continuously meeting the needs of those in immediate and intermittent need where it exists, while also persistently striving to be the resource that moves lives from the brink of marginality toward the realization of mainstream prosperity.