At Share in the JOY, we believe trauma does more than disrupt a child’s circumstances, it disrupts their internal balance.

Every child is born with an innate sense of connection, contribution, and reciprocity. The natural desire to share, help, belong, and matter.

Trauma can sever that connection.

Children who have experienced abuse, neglect, instability, violence, or displacement often begin to see themselves through the lens of survival rather than significance. Their world becomes centered around uncertainty and simply getting through the day.

At Share in the JOY, our work is centered on helping restore the balance and connection that trauma disrupted.

Our approach is rooted in the understanding that healing happens not only when children receive support, but when they rediscover that they still have something meaningful to give.

This philosophy aligns with the concept of interoception, what science refers to as our 8th sense. It's our internal sense of what is happening within us. Trauma disrupts that internal awareness, often leaving children disconnected from their emotions, their sense of safety, their confidence, and their identity.

We intentionally create experiences that rebuild those internal connections.

Not by simply serving children, but by empowering them. Allowing them to give back. Helping them contribute. Showing them they are capable.

By creating moments where they feel needed, proud, and most importantly, connected.

Whether that happens through serving others, building life skills, discovering their voice, connecting with mentors, preparing for employment, or experiencing the joy of giving instead of only receiving, the goal remains the same:

To restore balance and connection where trauma has disrupted it.

This is what makes Share in the JOY different.

We do not believe healing is passive, we believe it happens through connection.

Through contribution.

Through confidence.

Through belonging.

And through the restoration of a child’s belief that they matter. Not because of what has happened to them, but because of what they are still capable of becoming.

That philosophy extends beyond our direct work with children.

Share in the JOY brings nonprofits, businesses, government agencies, and community members together. Not to duplicate services, but to create stronger systems of support through collaboration, innovation, and shared purpose.

Because when communities work together, children experience more than temporary relief.

They experience connection. Real healing begins.

And then, they experience JOY.

Share in the JOY exists to bring hope and healing to children facing challenges not meant for children. 

We serve youth in foster care, those impacted by domestic violence, and children whose families are experiencing housing insecurity, along with the animals connected to their stories.

Through programs, events, and community partnerships, we light a pathway to resources, connect youth with caring supporters, and create JOYful experiences that focus less on what children can receive, and more on the power of giving. Giving to their loved ones, their community, and themselves. 

We work to encourage and inspire every child to discover their own ability to make a difference.

Watch this video to see a recap of our very first event as a nonprofit back in 2023

Through thoughtfully designed programs and events that create stability, mentorship, and joyful experiences, we aim to ease the challenges of foster care and help children feel safe, supported, and seen.

By partnering with local shelters and creating programs that foster safety and healing, we strive to support children affected by domestic violence and provide them and their families with the resources to rebuild their lives with dignity.

Through our Furnishing JOY program and community partnerships, we provide children experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity with essential furnishings and a stable environment, helping their families rebuild with dignity and hope.

Through partnerships with local shelters and programs that engage kids in service, we support the animals whose lives are connected to children in foster care, domestic violence shelters, and housing-insecure families, ensuring pets are cared for and helping children heal knowing their companions are safe.