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 The Community Comes Together to Create Food and Flower Gardens Outside Janus
Janus provides individuals with disabilities the opportunity to participate and contribute within their communities. Our community partners are a vital part of fulfilling this important mission. On May 25th, through the efforts of many individuals from the community, businesses, Janus staff, board members and consumers we together created a community garden. The community garden promotes Indiana native flowers and provides individuals served at Janus Developmental Services, Inc. with a life enriching work skills training opportunity. Individuals with all abilities are able to learn about gardening and participate in a nature experience that is rewarding and valuable. The gardens feature raised beds for accessibility throughout the large landscape and a gazebo. The overall garden features many smaller garden areas designed for a specific experience. Included is a butterfly garden that provides a habitat for a variety of native butterfly species. A smaller hummingbird garden presents featured native Indiana flowers that attract beautiful hummingbirds. Three vegetable gardens offer adults with disabilities the opportunity to plant, grow, harvest and sell produce. The sensory portion of the garden provides a unique sensory experience and fun learning opportunities. Guests can experience the pungent smell of spices, the taste of sweet and tart plants and the whimsical sounds of chimes.
Margaret Mead said, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."
 We are thankful as an organization to be based in a community of thoughtful, committed citizens and businesses that care enough to change the world of adults living with disabilities. As a community, we planted and mulched over 3,500 square feet of garden space. Through the efforts of our community partners, our community garden is a Hamilton County attraction that provides opportunities for the individuals we serve to learn valuable skills that dramatically enhance their quality of life.
Thank you to all our sponsors and supporters:
Key Bank, Sertoma Club of Broadripple, Meyer Najem, RL Turner, Performance  Services, memorial contributions for Mark Wariner, memorial contribution for Rick Schiess, Terry Bowen, Debbie Hager, Jacquie Banks, Randy Banks, Sharon Woods, Hamilton County Master Gardeners and Board of Directors, Shaena Reinhart of the Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District, The City of Noblesville, Native Plants Unlimited, Woody Warehouse, RW Armstrong, Cynthia Bowen, and Catherine Clark.
Our Services - Work Experience Program
The Work Experience program offers individuals with developmental, physical and intellectual disabilities the opportunity to learn basic employment skills such as completing assignments, working with co-workers, and arriving to work on time. Our community and the Work Experience program are both enriched by a partnership emphasis. Businesses within the community provide work ranging from labeling mailings to assembling lighting brackets. Other examples of work provided by community partners include assembly of diabetes testing equipment, collating and folding product brochures, community businesses play an integral role in the employment training process of the individual’s we serve. As a program partner, businesses benefit from a competitive and affordable labor force. Quality and a commitment to a “job well done” is a hallmark emphasis of the Work Experience program. The individual’s served through the program are dedicated and committed employees that strive for the highest level of quality in the product they produce.
The Work Experience program also offers cardboard recycling services. Consider the option of partnering with us instead of throwing unwanted cardboard waste in the trash or paying to have it hauled away. Cardboard can be brought to our location or arrangements can be made to pick up cardboard waste on a regular basis for our community partners.
If your business would like to make a difference in the lives of individual’s living with disabilities please contact Cheryl Bowlin, the Production Sales Manager at 317-773-8781.
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| A Success Story... |
 Luther is a young man with a bright smile and a kind disposition. Because of the severity of his disability, Luther has limited verbal ability, and must complete normal day to day tasks such as getting to the lunch table, completing personal hygiene activities, and traveling to work in a wheelchair. Luther meets normal day to day challenges while living with profound disabilities. Even with these severe challenges, Luther lives with assistance in HIS home and attends the Work Experience training program at Janus Development Services. Luther enjoys his work day because of the opportunity to interact with his friends, eat lunch, and just enjoy some valuable time with others. Luther’s residential staff members explain that coming to Janus provides Luther with a meaningful day that enables him to access his community and to live life with joy. For those living with severe disabilities, simple life experiences are truly valued and treasured. Luther is an incredible testament to the power of resiliency of the human spirit. Janus Developmental Services, Inc. is proud to provide meaningful services to Luther and others.
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