The Joy Project
Community Activists

“You will die without intensive treatment.” These cryptic words were delivered by an assessment clinician at an Eating Disorder (ED) treatment center to a young woman, Joy Nollenberg, suffering from the trap of an eating disorder in 2001. With this news, her insurance company refused to cover any ED services. Several years later, Joy, stumbled upon an online ED support group message board. She found that many other ED sufferers had similar difficulty finding and obtaining treatment. Among those who had been able to obtain treatment, many were frustrated with the quality and focus of the treatment they had received. Her personal experience of inadequate care for her ED was not an isolated incident—Joy realized something had to change. In February 2006, supported by a strong community of individuals affected by eating disorders, The Joy Project was born.

The goal of The Joy Project is to fill in the gaps caused by inadequate access to eating disorder treatment, and create a dialogue between researchers, treatment professionals, and those affected by eating disorders, in order to foster a better understanding of how to help people not only recover, but remain recovered. The Joy Project empowers eating disordered individuals by allowing them to use their own experience to advocate for themselves and others, and to create a community of support and hope among those who share the illness. The Joy Project’s all volunteer staff are dedicated individuals who truly believe that people with eating disorders can move beyond their illness to be strong, empowered, unique, and accomplished individuals.

Numerous services are provided by The Joy Project at no cost, and there are plans to launch additional, cost-effective, supportive programming that can easily be replicated elsewhere. Though The Joy Project does not provide individual therapy, it does provide these key services:

• An online recovery & support community where individuals from anywhere in the world can reach out for support at any time, day or night.
• Various in-person support groups.
• Offerings of supportive group activities that promote a sense of confidence and well-being, such as: yoga, art classes, group meals, volunteer opportunities, information sessions, and advocacy opportunities.

Future plans include the creation of recovery-support housing, where individuals would live in an environment that encourages a life free from ED, offering tangible help for transitioning back to ‘normal’ life, while paying monthly rent costs as opposed to expensive, long-term residential care. In addition, members of The Joy Project are creating a resource manual that can be used as a self-help program for those who cannot obtain treatment by traditional means. The Joy Project plans to publish an in-depth treatment directory; collaborate with ED researchers on future research studies; and host a panel discussion event where members of the treatment, research, and survivor community will be brought together as equals to speak on topics related to ED treatment.

The Joy Project has testified before members of Congress, created public service announcements to promote the message: “Eating disorders come in ALL shapes and sizes”, and have spoken to members of the general medical community on how to help people with eating disorders in a way that is validating and effective.

For more on The Joy Project and their future plans click here.
For The Joy Project recovery & support message click here.
For Joy’s complete story click here.