by Lee Pierre
Joyous Givers Youth Center (JG) is a nonprofit organization committed to providing a safe environment, where students ages 6-13, can come for community/friends. The center is open as follows: Boys meet every Wednesday at 6:00-7:30 p.m.; girls meet every Monday from 6:00-7:30 p.m. Coach Freddie Johnson and his wife, Cynthia are the founders of Joyous Givers, Freddie has worked with youth for over 30+ years.
“This place is not about me. I’m just trying to give back to my community,” said Freddie Johnson.
He states that he is concerned about all the senseless shootings that are taking place in the communities and feels that if he could “get the kids when they are young, they would think twice and would have a good mindset” when they became older.
He informs the attendees that, “You can’t do things because the crowd is doing them. You can’t do things because you’re upset. You have to learn how to control your anger, your temper. So, I figure if I had a program that would get kids early, they would be better equipped to make tough decisions as they become teenagers.”
When he first opened the center, he went from door to door talking to parents telling them about the center and how it could benefit their child. Basically, he promoted his center by word of mouth, making himself visible in the neighborhoods and surrounding areas.
“I walked through Bluestone Housing Development and the Villages at Lincoln because they are the closest to the center,” he remarked. “But I also went through the northwest community and others.”
Currently, the center is “home” to students from not only the local area but from Salem and other surrounding communities. He even has out-of-town students who come during the summer while they are visiting relatives in the area. Parents usually drop off their children or if they need a ride, they call and Freddie picks them up and transports them back home.
The fact that he is so willing to help as well as his giving back is something that attracts others to volunteer their time and resources to help to continue making his dream a success. Dana Garratt joined Joyous Givers Youth Center in April 2024 and holds various roles at the center. Her outgoing inviting spirit is evident and the fact that she gives out hugs makes her a warm entity to whom the youth tend to gravitate.
Another volunteer, Unique Hilton came on board in May 2025 bringing along her mentorship program, “Daughters of Destiny.” She speaks like a true visionary – she sees more for the center and is already working on details for serving the youth in the upcoming months.
Once inside the center it is evident why he has been successful in recruiting students. It is equipped with a weight room, billiards and foosball table, a gaming room, movie room, relaxation area, and so much more. The students who were there said they enjoyed being there and despite the large number present, there was neither ruckus nor senselessness observed. Everyone appeared to know what the rules/expectations were and adhered accordingly.
“Trying to catch the kids early and let the kids know that they are loved and they are appreciated is imperative to the success of this center,” he said. “Volunteers and donations are always welcome to maintain this center.”
The center recently had two visitors during its back-to-school event who were willing to share their time and resources with the youth. Ozone O.J. and Shaquanna, owners of The Juicy Zone, provided free haircuts for students and the general manager of Aaron’s, Lamar Martin, dropped by with free bookbags for the students.
The Joyous Givers Youth Center is a faith-based program. Johnson, a Desert Storm veteran, has been preaching for many years as well as a football coach for thirty years. His involvement in the community is surmountable and the community has been very supportive of the center, as it should.
The center is not just a place to drop off a child, it’s a place that nurtures and provides a stable foundation giving a child a sense of self and worth. The youth center is located at 3330 Hollins Road (Suite D) in Northeast Roanoke.
