MEET THE FOUNDER | Destiny Changers

Meet The Founder-Joyce E. Hardnett

Joyce E. Hardnett, the visionary founder and compassionate heart behind Destiny Changers Foundation Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. A woman of faith, grace, and unshakable purpose, whose life’s mission is to uplift, restore, and empower those who have been forgotten, written off by society, unseen, or counted out.

She is more than a founder; she is a vessel of grace, carrying hope into the lives of others and reminding them that no destiny is too broken to be changed. Joyce’s journey of service began long before the foundation was born. In 2005, she opened Abundance Salon and Day Spa in downtown Springfield, Jacksonville, a community that was then struggling with poverty, homelessness, and crime. Where others saw despair, Joyce saw potential.

Her dream was to bring light into dark places, to restore dignity where it had been lost, and to remind every person who walked through her doors that beauty still lived within them. While running the salon, Joyce’s heart was moved by what she witnessed in her community. During a city event, a city-sponsored Super Bowl, she noticed how the homeless were hidden from sight, tucked away until all the festivities were over, and something stirred deeply within her. She couldn’t stand by.

With compassion as her compass, she joined hands with the City Rescue Mission, choosing to serve, to listen, and to love those society often overlooked. It was there she met Melissa, a young woman from the LifeBuilders Program whose past and background check made finding work nearly impossible. But Joyce saw beyond her record, she saw a heart ready to rebuild. She hired Melissa at her salon, mentored her, and believed in her until she began to believe in herself again.

Under Joyce’s care, Melissa flourished, eventually returning to school to pursue a teaching degree. That moment changed everything, it showed Joyce what love, faith, and opportunity could do for a life once broken. Even after the salon unfortunately closed its doors, the vision in Joyce’s heart grew stronger. Through prayer, purpose, and God’s leading, Destiny Changers Foundation Inc. was born, a place of hope and transformation for first-time nonviolent offenders, single parents in rehabilitation or homeless programs, and youth seeking direction.

Through the foundation, Joyce continues to pour her heart into the community, offering food pantries, a free clothing closet, volunteer opportunities for court-ordered community service, and empowerment programs such as Skills to Pay the Bills via Zoom. Each service is an act of love, a reminder that no one is beyond redemption, and that every person deserves the chance to rise again.

Joyce leads with warmth, humility, and faith. She sees potential where others see pain, and she builds bridges where walls once stood. Her leadership flows from a heart that listens, a spirit that gives, and a deep belief that every person deserves to be seen, heard, and supported. Through partnerships with Feeding Northeast Florida, Waste Not Want Not, and other compassionate allies, Joyce has helped countless families find hope, even gifting a free car to a single mother in need.

Her vision is not just to meet needs, but to transform lives; not just to feed bodies, but to nourish souls. Every person touched by Destiny Changers Foundation leaves reminded of one truth: You are not forgotten. You are seen. You are loved. And your destiny can change.

Joyce is more than a leader, she is a light. A vessel through whom God’s love flows freely, bringing healing, dignity, and new beginnings to those who have lost their way. Her compassion reaches deep, her faith stands firm, and her life continues to echo one powerful message: “No matter where you’ve been or what you’ve faced, your story isn’t over. Hope still lives here.”