5 minute read
COVER STORY
Best man for the job
COMMUNITY HOUSE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR DAN JANOWICK
Longtime Community House employee Dan Janowick takes the reins as first male director in organization's history
BY MIKE ELLIS PHOTOGRAPHY BY JIM PRISCHING A new era commenced at The Community House (TCH) on Feb. 3, when Dan Janowick became the fifth executive director in the Hinsdale-based non-profit organization's nearly eight-decade history. Janowick succeeded Annie Horton Krug, who departed from the organization in January, before recently becoming director of major gifts at the Hinsdale Humane Society.
Coming to TCH right out of college, Janowick has spent the vast majority of his adult life with the non-profit, returning there in 2006 after working for several years at the Bolingbrook Park District.
Janowick started out operating the organization's youth sports leagues, including flag football, Jodie Harrison basketball and various athletic camps.
"What drew me here was my love of sports and the ability to work at a community-based organization that was in some small way trying to make the community a better place," he said.
Over the past couple of years, Janowick functioned as director of operations, which he described as supplying a "larger scope and view of the organization."
"What I've loved about being here is the community-based operation, that everybody is wanting to be a part of The Community House—and it really is the center of the community—and everybody comes together to accomplish some really cool things," he said. "Whether that's helping a kid gain confidence on the basketball court, or helping somebody with math at an after-school program, or somebody who's going through a stressful time and needs mental health services, I've appreciated that the community is supporting that."
When the executive director role opened up earlier this year, Janowick said he was "pleasantly surprised with the opportunity," acknowledging that previous hires had come from outside of the organization.
"I think from the timing of my career path and building up towards comfort in the leadership role, it was great timing for what I wanted to accomplish in my career, and for the organization," he said. "I think we've got a great and talented group of staff here; so for me to know that that's what the organization has already has working for it, it was a little bit more of an easy transition."
Janowick said he believes a "great advantage" of his extensive prior experience at TCH is "to already know the impact that The Community House has" in the community.
"I think we're trying to make people live the best version of themselves that they can, and doing that through mental health counseling, doing that in the Willowbrook Corner neighborhood, and doing that through all of our recreation and education programs here—I've seen that impact," he said. "So to be able to go and tell the story, that's not something I have to learn. I've seen it for a decade and a half, and I'm excited talking about it in the community, and trying to get people to invest in The Community House to make sure that we're here for the next generation."
Over the past 15 years, Janowick has worked with three of TCH's previous four executive directors: namely, Theresa Forthofer, Jeni Fabian and Krug. He has also interacted frequently with former longtime executive director Ly Hotchkin, who has remained a fixture of the organization.
"Each of them, I've been able to learn a lot from," Janowick said.
In recent years, TCH has undergone some significant changes, including the consolidation of the Charlie's Gift Autism Center under the general umbrella of counseling services.
"While we still serve families and kids on the autism spectrum, it's really focused on the services in the mental health department," Janowick said.
As an expression of this shift, TCH's annual Walk the Walk for Autism has been restyled Walk the Walk for Mental Health.
Janowick said the organization is devoted to "reduce the stigma" surrounding mental health, and help high-school students comprehend that their feelings are not necessarily "unique." "The statistics that are coming out on teens and stress and anxiety are really startling," he said, "and I think we want to make sure that we can be a local resource for high-school students and adolescents who are looking for counseling services." In addition, TCH has established after-school programming at six local elementary schools: to wit, Elm, The Lane, Monroe, Oak, St. Isaac Jogues and Walker, in addition to its existing program assisting underprivileged youth in the Willowbrook Corner neighborhood south of Interstate 55.
According to Janowick, the organization has been exploring expanding its after-school programming beyond District 181 and other neighborhood schools.
"I think expansion of services is one of the ways that the organization has to stay strong," he said.
Janowick said TCH plans to "strengthen" its existing programming, as opposed to shifting its focus in novel directions.
"Strengthening what we're already doing is really going to be my focus," he said, "rather than a focus on what different and new services [we could] offer."
Janowick said he also wants to emphasize the uniqueness of the organization, which is not a publiclyfunded entity like a park district.
According to Janowick, TCH receives 40 percent of its funding through private donations, while the remainder of its revenues are supplied predominantly through program fees, as well as grants.
Embarking on his 12th day in a new office in his interview with HM, Janowick described the opportunity bestowed upon him as a "dream job."
"It really is a humbling experience, because I have seen, first-hand, the impact The Community House has had on Hinsdale and the surrounding communities," he said. "To be able to help form that next chapter of an organization with so much history is really exciting to me."
For more information about The Community House, visit www. thecommunityhouse.org. ■
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