Nappanee Advance-News, Volume 113, Number 3, Nappanee, Elkhart County, 18 January 1995 — Page 3

Building a better community... Cunningham returns to hometown

By Merrie Chapman Reporter Nappanee’s own Janice Cunningham has returned to her hometown community to become an active member in its business community, health care needs and civic projects. Janice spent 16 years as an employee of St. Joseph Hospital. Following her role in the social work area she became a member of their management team. Now Cunningham is employed by Bremen Community Hospital which works closely with her former employer. Her new assignment is director of the Heritage Family Medical Center, US6 East, Nappanee. Janice has been active in the project from the beginning. After the idea for the center was announced she worked closely with the sponsors of the project — St. Joseph and Bremen Community Hospitals and the Borkholder Corporation which constructed the facility. After the plans were drawn she played a major role in organizing the ground breaking ceremony, choosing specific colors, accessories and other details of the interior design, and finally in hiring the seven family practicians and nine specialists to fill the communities needs. Janice takes her duties seriously and enjoys them. She also admits she is happy to finally work in her hometown. During her period of employment with St. Joseph Hospital she and her husband Dave lived and raised their children in Nappanee. The long job hours coupled with the extended drive to and from home limited the time left for family. Now she has the freedom to slip away from the office to witness her children participating in special events at school. Cunningham also savors the opportunity to have more time with her children after work now that she doesn’t have a long commute home. Family comes first with Janice. She spent six years as a 4-H leader before joining her husband on the Elkhart County 4-H Board. Janice was a 4-Her as a youngster and enjoys the opportunity to see her children benefiting from their involvement in the program. Cunningham has passed on the tradition of learning and personal growth through the Girl Scouts program for 10 years. She has served as a member of both the local and county Girl Scouts programs. Janice has a deep dedication to ' supporting her children’s passions. As both became members of the Wa-Nee Waves she joined the parental board that oversees the program. She currently serves as president of that board. Her sincere interest in her children is obvious when she begins describing the many talents of daughter Megan and son C.J.. Still Janice takes wishes the best possible opportunities for all children. It is that conviction which has led her to the Nappanee Youth and Family Services Commission. As a member Cunningham is a social work consultant available to lend the commission advice on county services and regulations. She currently serves as vice-president of the group and has worked hard to support Director Lynn McClung’s proposal to turn the former South Elementary School into a community resource and daycare center. Janice looks forward to wel-

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FAMILY ORIENTED—Janice Cunningham put her family first as she balances a hectic business and civic leadership role in the Nappanee community. In addition to being the director of the Heritage Family Medical Center, she is active in many local parental boards and the ISlappanee Rotary. See related article for more information on this dynamic woman. (AN photo by Merrie Chapman)

coming a Boys’ and Girls’ Club to the community and watching the center become a reality. To the rumors that some residents are in opposition to supporting the center with tax dollars, Cunningham replies, “we are providing a mechanism to support the leaders of tomorrow.” She adds that she hopes everyone can recognize how badly the community needs the facility. Cunningham’s greatest passion is her involvement with Pyramid Productions. The not-for-profit theatre group was organized by her high school drama teacher Sherry Hoover. Janice now manages the group. Her love for the theatre began with bit parts in high school plays but Cunningham has always preferred to work on the set designs and other “backstage” areas of the productions. She and her husband Dave met through the shared interest in the high school dramas. Their interests grew as they became adults and both joined the Nappanee Civic Theatre. They remained actively involved until the demands of child-rearing and busy work schedules took over. Now Janice has found her place in Pyramid Productions and used it as her outlet for creativity in the theatre. Each summer the group performs throughout the nation’s East Coast. According to Cunningham this is “her time” and she enjoys it to the fullest. With talented teenage recruits the theatre group does performances at crisis centers, children’s hospitals, nursing and retirement homes, as well as special requests at churches. The one to two-week traveling culminates in rewarding experience? for both Pyramid Productions members and those enjoying the performances. Janice talks lividly about her involvement in all the groups. She says that is because she “believes in all of the causes” and enjoys being so active in the things that are interesting and influencing her children. Cunningham says her endless dedication toward these groups is to “insure that the programs are there for my children.” She adds, “you’ve got to be supportive of yojjr community,” in reference to her work with the Rotary Club and other community projects. Janice can only serve as a roll

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\ GREEN THUMB WORKER —Helen Hostetler is Nappanee's only Green Thumb worker. She has been a part of the Green Thumb program since 1980 when she went to work for the Elder Haus, Nappanee. See related article for more information on the program and information on how to become a Green Thumb worker. (AN photo by Merrie Chapman)

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The city of Boston, Massachusetts was founded in 1630 by John Winthrop, the first governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. •» a Where we go and what we do 1 advertises what we are. The best thing to spend on children is your time. model and inspiration to all who see this working mom faithfully attending swim meets, school functions or community events.

City seeks Green Thumb workers

By Merrie Chapman Reporter Nappanee city officials are currently seeking two senior citizens interested in becoming Green Thumb workers. One person is needed to work out of city hall and the other at the Elder Haus. The National Farmers’ Union Green Thumb program was founded in 1965 after President Lyndon Johnson declared “War on Poverty. ” According to literature promoting the program, the national organization received its name because it was originally targeted at “preserving the family farm and improving rural America.” The idea of the program was to put these people, referred to as “green thumbs,” to work to help maintain the beauty of the national parks and highways. Thirty years later it is still helping older Americans improve their quality of living by providing job

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Nappanee Advance News Wednesday, January 18,1995

skills training and hands on experience. The program works when interested seniors contact the Green Thumb organization. After being interviewed and approved through the program, older adults attend meetings and seminars, receive skilled training and are matched up with employers. Dependence on the program is supposed to be temporary. Workers are matched up with employers to gain hands on experience, and are paid through the Green Thumb organization —not the employers. After workers are comfortable in their field they are encouraged to enter the work force as an employee of the business that hired thenf'or compete elsewhere for similar jobs of more pay. The Green Thumb organization is a community service employment program aimed at helping seniors gain the training needed to be a productive worker and better their quality of life. Participants in the program need to be 55 years or older, eligible to work in the United States, and have income limitations. Currently. Helen Hostetler, who serves Elder Haus patrons, is the only Green Thumb worker in the city. At least two others are being sought. Senior center director Dee Leavitt said, “we could use at least

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one more person here at Elder Haus.” She adds that she is sure the program would support a second volunteer for her staff. Leavitt also says that another Green Thumb workcrjs needed to work out of Nappanee City Hall. Anyone interested in applying for the program should contact Dee Leavitt at the Elder Haus, 258 East Market Street, Nappanee, or call 773-2424.

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