From Our President
Thank you for visiting the Janus website. As you read about our many programs and services, I know you will get a feel for the vibrancy that energizes our clients and staff. A visit to Janus would start with an observation of buses entering and leaving the parking lot, Hamilton County Express transporting Janus clients and Hamilton County residents to numerous activities and Janus Transportation transporting Riverview Health patients to medical appointments. A walk through the building provides views of numerous choices available to those we serve; creative artistic pursuits, cooking, gardening, fitness, community service, development of employment skills, to name a few. Committed to our mission “to provide individuals with disabilities the opportunity to participate and contribute in the community,” we continuously strive to develop partnerships that enable us to achieve that.
Over the past several years, we have continued to expand our partnership opportunities with Purdue University. We have enjoyed a long history of working with the Purdue County Extension Office, as the Hamilton County Master Gardeners have worked side-by-side with our clients for many years. We furthered our connection with the County Extension Office, when they provided Janus with an incubator and fertilized chicken eggs. Three times of watching baby chicks emerge from the eggs, and the experience continues to amaze and delight!
Participating in the Purdue University Industrial Engineering Senior Capstone Projects Program has been a mutually beneficial experience. The senior engineering students assisted with two separate projects to date; the first was an assessment of work flow in the contract manufacturing program, which helped identify opportunities for increased efficiencies and the second was for assessment of the viability of a hydroponics program. It has been rewarding to see the relationships formed between the Purdue students and the Janus clients.
The Janus Choir is featured in a video on this website. It is a recording of their performance at the First United Methodist Church Christmas Program. It’s impossible to watch this without choking up. Seeing the joy on the choir members’ faces confirms the value and importance of living our mission, and it is only possible to do this with the support of our many community partners, like First United Methodist Church. Click here to watch their performance.
Another critical component of fulfilling our mission is volunteers. Whether it is individuals who come to volunteer on their own on a regular schedule, or groups who come for a service project, all are greatly appreciated. Relationships are formed with volunteers and this grows the Janus “Family.” Several volunteers were so moved by their experience that they were inspired to form “For the Love of Janus” a fundraising guild, whose members also volunteer at client celebrations, such as the annual Summer Fest.
As a reminder, Janus holds monthly Community Luncheons with the intent to introduce members of the community to the programs and services provided. An additional bonus is that this provides clients participating in the Café program additional opportunities to practice food services skills, such as preparing and serving meals. If you have not attended one of these lunches, please look at the calendar and join us. We only request that you let us know you will be joining us, so we can be sure to have a place for you!
