My daughter just came back from a summer at UC Berkeley. It was the first time that she stayed in a more metropolitan area where she wasn’t as sheltered. She asked me to buy her pepper spray. In fact, she carried one in each hand whenever she went out. A homeless person came up to her, saying that she didn’t have enough money for food and asked, “Can I have some change?” My daughter was picking blackberries from bushes at the time. She’s a big nature buff. She said to the person, “I don’t have any money, but I have plenty of blackberries. Would you like some? They’re really good.” And the woman walked away.
At that moment, I thought to myself, “This is why the world needs curaJOY. This is why we’re doing this work.” We’re making a solution that gets down to the root causes of behavioral problems and leveraging AI to give people enough practice so that change is actually possible.
Preparing for Launch
Things are pretty hectic at curaJOY. We are a few days away from the first public launch of MyCuraJOY, and of course, I’m tired. I can see the gray hairs popping up and my family’s warning me, “Don’t work too hard.” It’s draining but exciting at the same time. Many people have said, “You have such a commercially viable product that is unique and there’s nothing like it in the market. Why would you go the nonprofit route?”
Three years ago, when I started this, I didn’t know if it was possible to make this complex AI family wellness product with a team of volunteers. I mean, usually, you would think money makes the world go round, but the people at curaJOY are truly special.
The Mission Behind curaJOY
I remind myself that we’re fighting a battle against the global crises of loneliness, stress, and anxiety. These issues aren’t going away on their own. I feel really special to be a part of this team and to be leading them.
There’s so many people who talk the talk but then do nothing. We’ve got capable people. You guys are amazing. You care, you have talents, and you make me feel not so alone—not like some crazy woman who’s attempting to change the world by herself. Thank you, Joymakers.
In these challenging times, it feels crucial that we provide people with practical tools to improve their mental well-being and social skills. MyCuraJOY is more than just a project; it’s a movement. This isn’t just my journey; it’s ours. Here’s to making a real difference together.
Thank you for being part of this incredible journey. Your support means the world to us.
This blog post serves as a heartfelt reflection and a rallying cry for the dedicated community committed to making real change. It celebrates the origins, mission, and impact of curaJOY, all while highlighting the personal experiences that underscore the importance of their work.
