The Journey of Joy Meadows: How we get there
Where Joy Meadows Started:
Joy Meadows was formed as a not-for-profit corporation in the State of Kansas on August 30, 2017. IRS 501(c)(3) status was approved in June 2018. The organization’s first goal was to locate land in Leavenworth County, specifically the Basehor-Linwood community, where a foster care community could be built.
This area was chosen due to its excellent school district, the support services available, and its central proximity to the four closest child placing agency offices. The agencies in Leavenworth, Olathe, Kansas City, and Lawrence are each within 20-25 minutes of Linwood, maximizing the ability to use resources to help the largest number of children in care and maintain a close distance to the child’s county of origin (serving Johnson, Douglas, Wyandotte, and Leavenworth counties).
The 23-acre Joy Meadows property was purchased in October 2019, with an adjoining 30 acres available for future expansion.
Where we are now:
First Home
The first home was remodeled December 2019 to February 2020 to be transformed into an 8-bedroom, 4.5-bathroom home for a foster family. The first foster family moved into the home in March 2020 to house a sibling group in need. The small existing barn became home to animals such as dogs, a farm cat, chickens, and lambs.
Community Center Opened
In October 2020, the Community Center was completed and is open in the 3200-square-foot basement of the main home on the property. It has two therapy rooms, a sensory room, a great room and kitchen, office space, and a place for the Clothing Closet.
Nebraska Furniture Mart completely decorated the entire space, and it became known as The Nebraska Furniture Mart Community Center. Multiple therapists began using the space as our “partner providers,” helping children and families with Medicaid.
Garden and Orchard Expand, Art Studio Built
In March 2021, a partnership with The Giving Grove and KC Community Gardens helped expand the existing Orchard and Garden.
The size of the garden doubled, and the future production of the orchard more than tripled. Nature-based pilot programs began in the summer of 2021 with art sessions and equine-assisted therapy. One horse and additional small equine animals were added to the barn family. The tack room was remodeled and turned into an Art Studio complete with AC, a pottery wheel, and a kiln.
Family Events Begin—Second Saturdays
In 2021, our Resource Program expanded to include Second Saturdays, which are a monthly event for foster and adoptive families providing a meal, outdoor entertainment, prizes, activities, and access to the garden and orchard. Churches began partnerships to sponsor these monthly events to be offered for free to families.
New Construction for Housing Program
Thanks to the ongoing Building Campaign, funds were raised to begin construction on three new homes on the property. Groundwork and infrastructure begin in November 2021-January 2022. In March 2022, the foundations for the three new homes were poured, and the process of applications for family residents began, with a move-in goal of fall 2022.
Expansion of Resource Program and Nature-Based Model
The Resident Intern Program launches for 2022, housing summer interns on-site. The Resource Program expands to include two sessions of Summer Day Camp, Individual Nature-Based Sessions for children, and continued Second Saturday Events.
Fostering Joy Network becomes the Joy Meadows Church Network
Since 2018, we have been working with faith communities to implement foster care ministries and provide sustainable support to retain foster families and engage the community in foster care through our program called Fostering Joy.
In 2022 this was renamed to the Joy Meadows Church Network to clarify its essential part of the non-profit as a whole. Partnering with Promise 686 as the regional advocate, this amazing ministry to continues to expand, encompassing more than 33 churches.
