Isaiah 58 Ministries is a tight-knit community, woven together by the shared efforts and compassion of donors, guests, staff, and volunteers. When one person departs, we are all affected—because, as John Donne reminds us, we are all “involved in humankind.”
This month, we bid a bittersweet farewell to one of our dearest community members, Joyce Blackwell. For more than a decade, Joyce has been a powerful presence at Isaiah 58 Ministries. Whether serving faithfully on the board, keeping the pantry shelves full and orderly, managing non-food resources, or organizing and leading our beloved holiday store, Joyce has given her energy, heart, and hands to every corner of our mission.
She was also the driving force behind countless special events—making sure everyone felt welcomed, fed, and connected. But more than the roles she filled or the programs she led, Joyce has been a true friend to all. Her encouragement, warmth, and sense of humor have touched countless lives—offering comfort in times of struggle and celebration in moments of joy.
Now, as Joyce moves on to a new chapter in life, we find ourselves both grateful and grieving. Grateful for the many ways she has strengthened our ministry and our spirits; grieving because we know her absence will be deeply felt. Just as she enhanced this ministry and all of us, we will indeed be diminished without her.
Recently, members of the Isaiah 58 community gathered to celebrate Joyce’s legacy and send her off with our warmest wishes and deepest gratitude. It was a fitting tribute to someone who has given so much of herself to this place and its people.
Though she may be miles away, we know Joyce will always be a part of Isaiah 58 Ministries. And we will carry her spirit forward in the work that she helped build—one act of kindness, one organized shelf, one shared meal at a time.
Thank you, Joyce. You are loved. You are missed. And you will never be forgotten.
