Joy Goforth

Raleigh Regional Training Team

Joy has a passion for teaching and serving the vulnerable unhoused population in Raleigh, NC. After receiving an Associate’s Degree from Forsyth Tech Community College in Horticulture, she later earned a BS Degree in Agricultural Education with a minor in Horticulture from NC State University. Upon graduation, she accepted a position as Horticulture teacher at an urban school in Mecklenburg County and then moved to Parkwood High School in Union County, NC where she taught a wider range of agriculture classes to rural students.

After starting a family, Joy also served in a role with the NC Department of Agriculture which provided her the opportunity to find a better work-life balance in a position that utilized her knowledge and skills. In 2017, Joy and her family relocated back to Raleigh to seek fresh opportunities, and her new promotion provided her travel opportunities where God delivered a kairos moment when her trip to Portland, Oregon opened her eyes to homelessness at a level that shook her to her core.

Since then, Joy was led to Raleigh Rescue Mission where she began serving as a JFL mentor. Her passion for and
experience with the JFL program, God given drive to serve Raleigh’s homeless families coupled with her teaching background makes her position on the team a great fit.