Community Spotlight: Joyful Jarra’s Vision for Inclusion & Sustainability
Meet Veronica, a passionate local business owner who has been dedicated to disability advocacy, awareness, and inclusion for over a decade. Three years ago, Veronica decided to combine her deep understanding of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) with her commitment to environmental sustainability. The result was Joyful Jarra— a local shop offering low-waste, sustainable home and personal care goods while actively championing inclusive employment.
This vision was sparked by Veronica’s time with Reality Ministries in Durham, North Carolina, where individuals with and without disabilities do life together in an intentional community. “It just made sense to me that a space should exist where we can create belonging, share life together, and develop an inclusive community,” Veronica explains. “As a parent and a professional, I’ve been doing life alongside individuals with developmental disability labels, and I’ve come to recognize the profound value of their lives, their human expression, and their colorful embodiments.”
When Veronica relocated to Georgia, this passion naturally drew her straight to the doors of L’Arche Atlanta. Since arriving, Veronica has engaged with L’Arche core members in numerous ways, firmly advocating for equitable access and opportunity. Believing that everyone has something valuable to share and no one should be excluded from pursuing meaningful work, she opened Joyful Jarra as a local refillery that doubles as a supportive workspace for neurodiverse individuals.
Most recently, Veronica welcomed Lena to the team. Lena is the sibling of L’Arche core member Mae. Lena shares that her experience has been new and pretty good; every day brings something different and her half-day shifts fly by. “I like being able to work on all the tasks Veronica asks me to do. I most enjoy restocking and pricing tickets,” Lena says. Born and raised in Decatur, Lena feels at home at Joyful Jarra, where she sees neighbors stopping by to shop. In addition to her staff, Veronica collaborates closely with Decatur High School’s special education program. Students participate by collecting, sanitizing, and repurposing glass jars for customers to use at the refillery. Veronica also offers internship opportunities for students at DHS throughout the year.
What started as a small dream has turned into a wonderful example for the community. By modeling what it means to run an inclusive business in the for-profit sector, Veronica hopes to help close the employment gap, foster empowerment, and build a lasting sense of belonging for everyone.
We encourage our L’Arche family to support and stop by Joyful Jarra in Avondale Estates, bring your empty glass jars if you want, and experience this vibrant space firsthand. Want to stay inspired by Veronica’s journey and learn more about low-waste living? Be sure to check out the Joyful Jarra Blog or follow her on Instagram @joyfuljarra for updates on sustainable living and stories of inclusion in action.
