Joyful Journey Team
Joyful Journey Team

Joyful Journey Philosophy of Care

We accomplish things with our Friends based on their current abilities and interests because everyone needs a sense of purpose.

We appreciate that our Friends have important histories and thoughts to share. It is our responsibility to offer the right environment plus time and encouragement so their voices are heard the most.

We are aware of the environment and its impact on our Friends. We will make changes supporting our Friends, as needed.

We respect the privacy and dignity of our Friends and their families.

We understand that a Friend is doing the best he or she can. When something is not working, it is our responsibility to change our behavior and approach.

We respond to our Friends, including to their changes in abilities, in a way that upholds their dignity and self-esteem.

We know body language and visual cues, not our words, are the best communication tolls. We strive to use fewer words and more visual cues.
Our Co-Founders
Cathy & Gerard Benner
Cathy, President, and Gerard, Treasurer and Board Chair, are Co-Founders of Joyful Journey. Both are committed Volunteers on many levels for the organization. What came from personal caregiving experience, driving hearts of compassion for caregivers and families, and listening to where their faith was leading them has been a humbling mission of talking the talk and walking the walk.
Cathy finds JOY in seeing parts of her mom in each Joyful Journey Friend and knowing her mom’s memory will be a legacy of love for our community of caregivers and those being cared for. Hearing of life breathing moments in caregiver lives because of the positive impact Joyful Journey has afforded them provides Gerard great JOY. Both are inspired by the love exhibited by our communities, Board, Staff and Volunteers as shown through everyone’s personal calling and willingness to help make Joyful Journey a reality.
Always together, whether at work or play, Cathy and Gerard find great pleasure in serving others and those special times with one another, their grown children, grandchildren, extended family, and a fuzzy dog, Gumbo.
Our Co-Founders
Cathy & Gerard Benner

Cathy, President, and Gerard, Treasurer and Board Chair, are Co-Founders of Joyful Journey. Both are committed Volunteers on many levels for the organization. What came from personal caregiving experience, driving hearts of compassion for caregivers and families, and listening to where their faith was leading them has been a humbling mission of talking the talk and walking the walk.
Cathy finds JOY in seeing parts of her mom in each Joyful Journey Friend and knowing her mom’s memory will be a legacy of love for our community of caregivers and those being cared for. Hearing of life breathing moments in caregiver lives because of the positive impact Joyful Journey has afforded them provides Gerard great JOY. Both are inspired by the love exhibited by our communities, Board, Staff and Volunteers as shown through everyone’s personal calling and willingness to help make Joyful Journey a reality.
Always together, whether at work or play, Cathy and Gerard find great pleasure in serving others and those special times with one another, their grown children, grandchildren, extended family, and a fuzzy dog, Gumbo.
The Joyful Journey
Board of Directors
Cathy Benner
President
Gerard Benner
Treasurer and Chair
Stuart Boehning
Secretary
Don Windler
Member
Claire Lacy
Member
Robert Truitt
Member
The Joyful Journey
Board of Directors
Cathy Benner
President
Gerard Benner
Treasurer and Chair
Stuart Boehning
Secretary
Don Windler
Member
Claire Lacy
Member
Robert Truitt
Member
