From Homelessness to the Pinnacle of Academia Dr. Jeremy Reynalds, author, speaker, and writer, is the founder and CEO of the New Mexico-based Joy Junction, Inc., which is one of the few non-profit faith based organizations in the United States totally dedicated to serving homeless families. Reynalds has just authored "The Face Of Homelessness," to be released by Theatron Books in April 2008. Joy Junction, New Mexico's largest emergency homeless shelter, was founded in 1986 by Reynalds, who was homeless himself in 1982. Reynalds earned his Ph.D. in intercultural education from Biola University in 2006. His plight and transition are an inspirational story. Reynalds' doctoral dissertation was an in-depth study of how the media portray the issue of homelessness. Commenting on his doctoral research, Reynalds said, "I found that there has been a real change in the last 20 or so years in the way the homeless are shown in the media. It was not what I expected at all." Reynalds also earned an undergraduate degree with a focus on journalism from the University of New Mexico, and a master's degree in communication. His master's thesis looked at how television news portrays the religious right. Currently, Joy Junction is helping over 300 people every night and serving more than 100,000 meals a year. The shelter gives a "Hand-Up not a Hand Out," and is noted for getting families back on their feet through a successful faith-based life recovery program. Joy Junction's efforts are increasingly needed, with its client base doubling in the last four years. According to the National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty, approximately 3.5 million people nationally, 1.35 million of them children, are likely to experience homelessness in a given year. This disturbing figure represents more than the population of the city of Chicago (2,900,000). Reynalds previously authored "Homeless in The City: A Call To Service," published by Theatron Books in 2007, "Homeless Culture and The Media," published by Cambria Press in 2006, and "The Walking Wounded" published by Huntington House in 1996. He was also a contributor to "Reading the Homeless," published by Praeger in 1999. Reynalds is now available for interviews. Contact: Larry Garrison 805-370-3630 gpinews@aol.com