May 21, 2022
Over the next few weeks, the Catawba County United Way will be highlighting the executive and program directors of the CCUW's funded partner agencies for 2022.
Every year, the CCUW looks to partner with local non-profits and help support their programs focused on improving the lives of those in need in the areas of education, financial stability and health.
This week Janie Connor – Community Ridge Day Care – Executive Director.
1. How long have you been with your agency and have worked with non-profits overall?
I started in day care in 1971 at Ridgeview Day Care. We later merged with Friendship Baptist and became Community Ridge Day Care. This began in 1977. I have served a total of 50 years in Day Care.
2. What drew you to your current position and this kind of work?
I started out keeping my family members children. I was offered a day care position by a friend. I was chosen later on to be the director due to the fact that the Board was seeking a qualified applicant that was from the inside. It was an honor to receive this directors position in 1990. After receiving this promotion it motivated me to go back to college. I attended Catawba Valley Community College and received my associate degree in Early Childhood Education. I also attended North Carolina Agricultural Technical State University two years after my high school graduation.
3. What is the impact of your agency in our community?
We offer quality care to our parents in the community. We have seen generations of family come through our doors. We also stay in touch with the families in our community. We see past students who now have children enrolled here. We also have the privilege of seeing former students become professors, teachers, lawyers, nurses and much more. Several students have went off to serve in branches in the military. Many students that graduated from the day care are able to give back to the Ridgeview Community and it’s a joy to know we had a part in it!
4. What does a good day at work look like?
A good day at work is seeing the smiles on our children's faces and knowing they are learning and enjoying being at Community Ridge. Meeting the needs of the parents by keeping their child/children safe and well cared for here at the day care. We love all our children as if they are our own, and that’s a good day.
5. The non-profit world can be stressful. What’s your favorite way to relax?
I love spending time with my family and friends. We are a very close family and we enjoy each other tremendously. I love participating in our Youth Missionary Group at church and the Child Fatality Group that I am involved in just to name a few.
6. Do you have a favorite book/movie and why?
My favorite movies are Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory and The Wizard of Oz. They are fantasies that you can get lost in and I love the end results to both movies.
Learn more about other Catawba County United Way funded partners at THIS LINK.