From the Front Desk to the Heart of the Mission

When Janie first walked through the doors of Caritas, she wasn’t looking for a lifelong career. She was looking for a job.

After spending many years working in finance and navigating a season of uncertainty, Janie found herself searching for her next step. A friend mentioned an opening at Caritas — a receptionist position — and although she had never heard of the organization before, she decided to apply.

“I was just trying to get back on my feet,” she recalls. “I had no idea what Caritas really was at the time.”

What started as a front-desk role quickly became something much deeper.

As a receptionist, Janie was often the first face neighbors saw when they walked through the doors. She answered phones, greeted families, and helped connect individuals to immediate resources. Before long, she transitioned into a dual role — serving as a part-time client intake specialist while continuing her receptionist duties.

“That’s when I really started to understand the courage it takes for someone to ask for help,” she says. “Just walking through the door can be the hardest part.”

From there, Janie moved into the role of intensive case manager, working closely with neighbors facing complex challenges and helping them navigate a path toward greater stability. She later became a lead case manager, supporting both clients and fellow staff, before stepping into the role of client services director. Today, she serves as Caritas’ Director of Programs.

“Each role taught me something different,” Janie shares. “Every position was a meaningful learning experience, and each one helped shape how I approach this work today.”

Through every role, one truth stood out: dignity matters.

“The hardest part for our neighbors is walking through the door and standing in that line,” she explains. “It takes humility to say, ‘I need help.’ But once they’re here, our goal is to make sure they never feel ashamed — only welcomed.”

That belief is at the core of Caritas’ mission. Janie emphasizes that the organization is about far more than meeting immediate needs.

“People often think of Caritas as just a food pantry,” she says. “Food is a huge part of what we do, but we also help with utilities, rent, and intensive case management. We’re walking alongside people during some of the most difficult seasons of their lives.”

During her time at Caritas, Janie was once offered a higher-paying opportunity outside the organization — a role that made financial sense. As she weighed the pros and cons, one verse kept coming to mind: Colossians 3:23 — “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord.”

“That scripture became my go-to,” she says. “It still is. It helped ground my decision and reminded me why this work matters.”

She chose to stay.

Today, as she reflects on her journey, Janie speaks with gratitude and pride.

“I am thankful to be here this long, and I am proud of what we do,” she says. “I’m proud of our team. And I’m proud of the way we show up for our community every single day.”

For Janie, Caritas is more than a workplace — it’s a calling.

“And once you see the need,” she says, “you can’t unsee it.”