I AM JOY!

Today, I am both humbled and excited to share with you a story years in the making—a story that is not only mine, but one I believe belongs to all who have dared to step into the unknown with courage, faith, and hope.

So, it is with great joy—and a bit of nervousness—that I announce the release of my upcoming book, I Am Joy, on March 8, 2025—International Women’s Day. This book is not only my journey; it is a testament to the power of faith and redemption. It’s about how a California girl, with little more than a whispered prayer, found herself stepping into the unknown to walk alongside women rising from unspeakable trauma into unimaginable strength.

In I Am Joy, I share the story of how New Hope Girls began—how God took our nothing and turned it into everything. From a tiny house on a hill in the Dominican Republic to a mission that now offers safe homes, educational opportunities, and dignified employment to women, walk with me along this journey where the impossible has become a reality. 

Along the way, experience the trials and triumphs of transforming lives through a movement that partners with brands like Vera Bradley, Kohls and Pura Vida, while challenging the status quo with trauma-informed care and restorative justice.

“Joy has the perfect embodiment of her name. The joy, warmth, generosity, and hope she gives is circular. She has changed lives and inspires us all who have the joy of knowing her.”

                - Barbara Bradley Baekgaard,

                   Co-Founder of Vera Bradley 

This book is more than a memoir, it is a rallying cry for anyone who believes light overcomes darkness, love is always worth the cost, and God’s power creates meaningful change. You’ll meet the incredible women and girls of the barrio, those who have taught me that true beauty is found in broken places. You’ll witness how God has written and continues to write stories of redemption, using the ink of our tears and the creativity of His grace.

I Am Joy is for anyone who has ever felt a stirring to step into something more—even when the path ahead feels uncertain. It’s for those who believe hope has the power to transform everything it touches. I invite you to walk alongside me in this journey of hope, grit, and grace. My prayer is this will not just be a book you read, but a call to action—a call to embrace your own potential and take bold steps toward a life of service and transformation.

Save the date—March 8, 2025.

It’s not the end of a story, but the beginning of a new chapter in this beautiful journey that God continues to write through all of us who dare to say "yes" to the impossible.