I grew up in Benton Harbor, Michigan. Benton Harbor is on the southwestern tip of the state across Lake Michigan from Chicago. When people wanted to vacation they would drive through Benton Harbor to get to some very pretty beaches. My mom and dad had turned our garage on Main Street into a very small ladies and childrens dress store that sold discounted clothing. Of course it was tiny and made a very meager living for our family. There were no vacations, but we did have the beach a few miles away.

Joyce and her husband Rabbi Steve Foster have lived in Denver since 1970.

From 1961 to 1965 I lived in Chicago where I went to college and worked full time. I met my husband there and was married in 1965. We lived in Cincinnati until 1970 while he was in rabbinical school.

Steve and I then moved to Denver in 1970 with our two sons David and Danny. Our daughter Debbie was born in Denver in 1974. We’ve lived in Senate District 35 the entire time. We first lived in Virginia Vale for six years, then moved to Wellshire East where we lived for 27 years. Now we’re in Lowry.

I was offered a fabulous position at Jewish Family Service of Colorado (JFS) in 1977. For 16 years I was the Director of Employment Services, responsible for placing individuals into jobs. The majority of my clients were refugees from the former Soviet Union and Pacific Rim countries. I loved the agency and my work.

Joyce with her mentee Maria Garcia, who now has a Masters Degree. Joyce and Maria met through Denver Kids.

In 1993 the Denver City Council position became available in my district. My friends and family convinced me to run for the seat. Never in my wildest dreams had I ever planned on running for office, much less winning. But I did. I served ten years until I was term limited and achieved goals that helped to make Denver a better place to live.

While in office I represented Denver on the Denver Regional Council of Governments Board (DRCOG). The DRCOG reconciles transportation projects like T-REX with land use to work toward sustainable growth in the metro region. I was also honored to have been elected as the president of City Council and developed close working relationships with other cities and counties, organizations like the Regional Transportation District and Southeast Business Partnership, as well as state agencies like the Colorado Department of Transportation.

In 1998 I worked with local middle and high schoolers to build a free public skateboard park. In 2001 it became a reality. This is one of my most rewarding accomplishments while being on City Council. I believe that it has helped cut down on teenage crime by giving teens something to do after school which benefits the whole community.

Joyce with some of the 80 Denver public school children who formed the skateboard committee to help her complete production of the Denver Skatepark, which opened in July 2001.

Since my tenure on City Council, I have been fortunate to serve as the Chairman of the Board of JFS and on the boards of several other organizations. Serving as a clergy person’s spouse for so many years certainly has prepared me for working with all kinds of people during the happiest and saddest times in their lives.

Steve and I just celebrated our 42nd anniversary and I’m truly blessed. All three of our children are here in Denver and married to outstanding people. So far we have six grandchildren who are smart, extremely nice and still love to come to my house for chicken soup.

Joyce and her husband with President Bill Clinton in 1993.

Joyce opening Denver’s first off leash dog park at the Denver Animal Shelter during her term as Denver City Councilwoman. Pictured from left to right are: Mayor Wellington Webb, Joyce Foster, and Director of Environmental Health Theresa Donahue.

Joyce with some of Colorado’s Veterans on Flag Day.

Joyce also did great work with T-REX when she served as SE Mobility Coalition Co-Chair. Pictured from left to right: CDOT Commissioner Tom Norton, FTA Deputy Administrator Nuria Fernandez, SE Mobility Coalition Co-Chair Buzz Koelbel, Joyce Foster, RTD Executive Director Cal Marsella, and Former SE Business Partnership President Peter Neukirch.