Janel has an Associates’ degree in Early Childhood Education and has spent over 20 years working with children from birth through their teen years. She joined the Found Village team at the onset of the Girl’s Program. She felt called to become a part of the team as an ambassador for women.
Janel has helped her mother raise her two younger siblings, who are now young adults, and been a stable support and gained firsthand knowledge of the difficulties families face in parenting their children. She has led teen high school ministry programs, camps, and small groups. She is heavily involved in racial reconciliation in Cincinnati and leads “Undivided” racial reconciliation training and is in high demand as a speaker.
Meeting the challenging needs of these young ladies has not been an easy task and Janel openly admits that she has confronted thoughts of leaving on multiple occasions. But when she reflects on where she was compared to how far she has come in her personal life, this becomes the fuel she needs to keep pushing and be a light for those who need it most. This work is difficult, it can be hard on your heart; however, the fruit of seeing a young person rise from hardly surviving to thriving is well worth the challenges.
Her professional and personal experience allows her to relate, connect, and intervene with our youth and families. She is passionate about engaging children and teens to recognize their intellectual, social, emotional, and physical capacity for growth. In her own words “I truly could not see myself spending my time or doing anything else!” One young lady remarked to Janel how happy she is that she found her. This is exactly who we are to our teens, a place where they find relationships, support, and self-esteem. A place where they are found.