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Joi’s Angels Wins “Volunteer Award” by New Jersey Clean Communities Council

EAST ORANGE, NJ – June 28, 2018 –Joi’s Angels, a shelter and emergency services organization, has won the “Volunteer Award” from the New Jersey Clean Communities Council.

Joi’s Angels was founded by Mark and Joi Smith to provide support services to the challenged, displaced and homeless population in Essex County.

Bryant Cowart, Clean Communities Coordinator for the City of East Orange, nominated Joi’s Angels for their dedication and compassion in helping others.

“Joi’s Angels program currently houses up to 16 chronically homeless individuals within Essex County,” Cowart said. “Not only does the Joi’s Angels help the needs of individuals requiring an array of services, they also volunteer in all city-wide cleanups.”

Joi’s Angels is dedicated to a mission of providing critical assistance, as well as establishing long-term initiatives.

“We were ecstatic when we found out we won an award for cleaning up our community,” said Joi Smith, Assistant Director of Joi’s Angels. “It’s a huge pat on the back. Someone is noticing our hard work. It really was an honor and we were very excited.

“But we must thank our crew,” Smith added. “We are blessed to have such amazing helpers. We are very close and it’s rewarding to have a community willing to help and keep our space clean. We have other organizations that have clean ups ask us to help them too, We usually bring anywhere from 10 to 50 volunteers. The giving never ends.”

In time, organizers would like to expand Joi’s Angels into a comprehensive crisis resource center that transforms lives and moves Essex County communities towards becoming more socially, mentally, physically, financially, and spiritually self-sufficient.

NJCCC is a comprehensive, statewide litter-abatement program that has served New Jersey residents and visitors for more than 25 years. Learn more at njclean.org.

Learn more about Joi’s Angels – or to donate – at joisangels.com