When Community Gives, Lives Change: A Story of Impact

I witnessed something remarkable last month. My family had the chance to drive a young woman who was 32 weeks pregnant to Greener Village to get a food box and set up ongoing delivery. Then it hit me...through our outreach and Impact Partners program we activated community churches and businesses to collect and donate more than $6,000 worth of food to help feed this young mother to be. I'm sure everyone else in the car wondered why I started tearing up.

This is why communities like Joy matter. This is why Share the Joy Week 2025 (April 7-11) is more than a fundraiser – it's a movement of hope.

The Science of Giving Meets the Heart of Community

According to Harvard Business School's research on prosocial spending, giving to others increases happiness and well-being more than spending on ourselves (Norton & Aknin, 2022). But at Joy 96.5, we see this play out in real lives every day.

Take Glenn, a local business owner who became an Impact Partner last year. "I always felt like there was so many barriers to helping the community. But Joy has made it so easy for me to help make a difference and engage my team in community impact."

Beyond Numbers: Real Impact, Real Lives

The Charitable Aid Foundation reports that communities with strong giving networks show 47% higher resilience during economic challenges (CAF America Report, 2023). But what does this mean on our streets?

It means:

• The family who bonded through our community events

• The teenager who discovered purpose through our youth initiatives

• The family business that connected with new loyal customers through our platform

• The nonprofit that doubled their donations through our Impact Partners program

Where Research Meets Reality

The Journal of Community Development published findings showing that community-based media platforms increase social capital by 56% (Thompson et al., 2024). At Joy 96.5, we see this statistic come alive when:

• Local churches partner with businesses to address food insecurity

• Lives are transformed and drawn to church communities through our programs

• Volunteers flood in when we put out a call for help

• Communities unite across traditional dividing lines to bring Kingdom impact

"Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms." - 1 Peter 4:10

A Platform Powered by People

The Stanford Social Innovation Review found that community-supported organizations create 4x more local impact than traditional models (Stanford SSI, 2024). But here's what that really means at Joy:

• Even $20 a month donated helps us multiply the resources we provide to connect our community

• Monthly supporters enable us to maintain consistent community programs

• Business partnerships multiply our ability to meet immediate needs

• Volunteer engagement creates lasting community bonds

Your Part in the Story

Over these last few months I have watched as business and church leaders and non-profit leaders have come together and decided to collaborate to meet pressing community needs. It happened right across the table from me in the studio, the coffee shop, in offices, and in the community. That's the power of the platform we've built together.

The Giving Institute's latest research shows that community-based giving creates 3x more sustained impact than traditional philanthropy (Annual Report on Philanthropy, 2024). But we don't need statistics to tell us what we see every day – lives changed, hope restored, communities strengthened.

Join Our Story of Impact

This Share the Joy Week, you can be part of these transformative moments. Visit joyfm.ca/donate to:

• Power our Impact Partners program

• Strengthen our community platform

• Help write the next story of hope

• Be part of lasting change

Remember what Loana, one of our regular listeners, said: "There is such hurting going on within our city, province and country and it is so easy to let the negative creep in and still our joy and being someone that has anxiety it can be all consuming sometimes and all hope feels lost.

With JOY 96.5 the ministry gives hope whether is be music, pastors, etc. There is nothing better than getting in your vehicle where the dial is always on this station and God allows you to hear just what your soul is craving. I am so thankful that God uses so many talented people to impact our lives."

Your support during Share the Joy Week doesn't just keep our station on the air – it keeps hope alive, communities connected, and transformation possible. Learn more about our Impact Partners program at joyfm.ca/impact.

Be Part of the Story - Donate Today joyfm.ca/donate