Meet the January 2024 Community Superhero: Joy Dodd

Joy: “The magic in new beginnings is truly the most powerful of them all.” ―Josiyah Martin

The new year is a time of new beginnings and resolutions for many. However, January 2024 Community Superhero Joy Dodd, has dedicated her career to gifting the families that she serves new beginnings all year round. Growing up with very little in a small town in the state of Mississippi has made the mission of New Futures, INC. more than a career to Joy, this mission is personal to her. Over the past two years, she has made it her goal to ensure that no family is left behind. Redstone Federal Credit Union and the National Children’s Advocacy Center are proud of the great work done at New Futures, INC. everyday and are honored to share Joy’s story.

Joy has always had a deep-rooted passion for serving others. Though it took time for her to figure out exactly how she wanted to accomplish this goal, her passion to do so has never wavered. As a child, Joy dreamed of becoming a fighter pilot in the United Sates Air Force. Her father and her grandfather were both in the military and Joy felt strongly about following in their footsteps. She began chasing her dream by obtaining a full ROTC scholarship to Mississippi State University.

Later into her college years, Joy became a mom to her son and decided to finish her degree in graphic design instead of pursuing a position in the Air Force. After graduating with her degree, she began doing freelance design, working as a substitute teacher for her children’s schools, and doing pro-bono design work for her children’s schools as well. Before accepting her current position, Joy worked as the Operations Manager for First Stop where her hard work was recognized by a current coworker.  No matter the job title or the scenario, Joy’s giving heart for others shines through all that she does.

For the past two years, Joy has held the title of Facility Coordinator for New Futures, INC. This local nonprofit organization is a 13-room homeless shelter that supports homeless families looking to regain stability and reshape their lives. New Futures is the only homeless shelter in North Alabama that allows families to reside in a unit together to maintain healthy relationships and allow them the opportunity to thrive as they seek out permanent housing and financial security.

Though there is already so much hope and healing inside the walls of New Futures, Joy aspires for their facility to grow and expand into transitional housing. With so many lives changed at the hands of Joy and her team at New Futures, INC., calling her a superhero feels minimizing. In fact, Joy says, “The toughest part of the job is realizing that I can’t do it for them, and that they have to want more for themselves.” What a gift it is to call a place so full of philanthropy home! Thank you to Joy Dodd and the New Futures, INC. team for the incredible impact they make on our community everyday!

Our January Superhero is brought to you by: