Upon discovering a shortage of funds in homeless shelters in San Diego, junior Audrey Vernier had to do something. The summer before her sophomore year, Vernier founded her own charity called Joymail. Vernier’s passion to help others keeps her going.  “I have a heart for people,” she said.

Joymail is an independent charity run and managed by Audrey herself. She invests her own time and money into making jewelry by hand. As the charity grew, she expanded to selling her own used clothing alongside her handmade bracelets. The money she raises goes towards making care packages for the shelters she aids. “That’s why it’s called Joymail, because you’re sending mail to those who are in need.” With the occasional help from close friends, Vernier sends things like food and clothing to help out those in need.

Vernier has plans to expand her organization in order to reach out to more of the homeless population. “Once I have more time and more resources … I think it would be really cool to see it at a more stable place. I think it’d be really cool to grow into having other people on the team or help with the organization,” she said.

The struggles of independently running a charity can be tough, and Vernier understands that business isn’t always booming. At one point, she wasn’t making any progress and hadn’t made a single sale for a while. With the help of a friend and a mountain of coupons, Vernier managed to buy non-perishable food for local shelters. “We got a bunch of things for free because of her couponing, so it was really exciting because we bought so much more food than we thought we could buy,” Vernier said.  

Vernier bases a lot of her charity around her faith. “I really like the Bible-based aspects; I’ve seen a lot of hope restored in the lives of those who turn to them,”  she said in regards to the inspiration for founding her charity. But it’s no one specific organization that keeps her going; for Vernier, knowing that anyone out there is in need of her help will always motivate her to do her best. “I have a heart for people. I think something I could do that would be simple, that would help others, and show them that we care, is really cool,” Vernier said.

With prayer and an unstoppable urge to make the world a better place at her side, Audrey Vernier will continue to help  Joymail grow to its greatest potential.