Faith-based youth organization hosts all-family prom 

After losing two of her sons to suicide and a nephew to gun violence, Michelle Sanders decided to do something about the violence and depression “running rampant” within her community.  

Joyful Journeys, a faith-based nonprofit organization designed to uplift and empower youth and families, was Sanders’ solution. Created in November 2024 — and staffed by a team of community volunteers and church leaders — Joyful Journeys works to secure mental health resources, education initiatives, mentorship programming, field trips and safe spaces for Indianapolis youth and their families. 

“It is my ministry for sure,” Sanders said. “We are trying to show up as just a faith-based organization, that we’re doing something different so the kids and families can have something different to participate in.” 

Joyful Journeys’ most prominent form of programming comes in the form of Family Fun Nights, which are hosted at Chuck Klein Park in partnership with Freedom Christian Church, where Sanders is an associate pastor. Family Fun Nights take place on Fridays once a week during the summer and once a month when school starts back up, Sanders said. 

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Family Fun Nights are open to anyone in the community and act as a safe space for youth and parents to spend a few hours relaxing, having fun and learning. Joyful Journeys provides attendees with free food, games and a Bible-based lesson, said Michelle Moore, Joyful Journeys board member and arts coordinator. 

“We go in and just really provide a couple hours of entertainment and time for the kids,” Moore said. “The parents can kind of drop their kids off and relax, if they like, or they can stay and listen, but really it’s just kind of a family fun night to give them something to do with a positive focus.” 

Joyful Journeys staff also volunteer with North West Health Care rehabilitation center once a month, prepare care packages for local college students and host annual backpack giveaways for back to school. 

Moore and Sanders said they are in the process of obtaining a few more partnerships and sponsorships to host additional events and expand Family Fun Nights to another park’s recreation center over the winter. However, at just under a year old, the organization is preparing to host a brand new community gathering in the form of the Night of Joy Annual All-Family Christian Prom.  

Night of Joy, which is scheduled for 7-10 p.m. on Oct. 11 at the Spotlight Center North East, aims to provide a safe space for kids and parents to experience a prom while shedding light on all the diverse cultures within their community. It’s also a great opportunity to host a daddy-daughter dance and give out awards like “Best Grandpa,” Sanders said. 

“It really became apparent that a lot of the parents and the families, I don’t think, had that opportunity to necessarily go to a prom,” Moore said. “Just providing that opportunity to get dressed up, go out, have a really nice night of togetherness, we’re really looking forward to.” 

Guests can expect Night of Joy to mimic a tried-and-true prom with a little something extra, Sanders said. The event will feature a formal catered dinner, a Best Dressed to Impress contest, a raffle featuring everything from stuffed animals to a Caribbean cruise, a live DJ and a professional photographer for family photos. 

Being in its first year, Sanders and Moore said they are just “breaking even” but are prepared to host the event again each year in hopes of being able to gain sponsors, give tickets away and raise funds for year-round programming and scholarships.  

“I would hope that it becomes more of the crown jewel of our annual events,” Moore said. “The main function for our first prom is going to be, ‘let’s get our name out there, let’s show that we’re for real. We can really pull something like this off for the community.’” 

Joyful Journeys’ Night of Joy Annual All-Family Christian Prom takes place from 7-10 p.m. on Oct. 11 at the Spotlight Center NE, 5060 E. 62nd St., Suite 100. Tickets are $35 per person and $120 for families of five or more.  

For more information, visit onejoyfuljourney.org/events. 

Contact Arts & Culture Reporter Chloe McGowan at 317-762-7848. Follow her on X @chloe_mcgowanxx.