Client Cameo: Janet C.

Introducing Janet C. -- our latest Client Cameo!  She has been a loyal Carry-Out Caravan client for the past three years.  

Janet was born and raised in Akron, Ohio.  After graduating from high school, she moved to New York to study anthropology and linguistics at Nyack College.  It was there that she met her husband, David S.  After graduation, they married and David continued his education in pursuit of his Master’s degree.

Janet and David travelled extensively both internationally and nationally for his work and for their continued education.  They enjoyed many adventures and multicultural experiences early in their marriage as a result of these travels.  

Before travelling to Africa for their missionary work, they lived in Switzerland for over a year to learn how to speak French. Their first daughter Jodi was born there.  Janet loved living in a big Swiss chalet on top of a mountain -- with a magnificent view of the Alps and the valleys below.  The only downside was riding up and down the mountain on her single-speed bike to get around town.  During her pregnancy when she could no longer bike, they moved to an apartment in Geneva. 

Next stop was Gabon, Africa, for their missionary work.  After about two years there, her husband became seriously ill and they returned to the States. Once he recovered from his illness, he became employed as a history professor at several universities in the United States, including Georgetown, Temple, Pennsylvania, and Michigan.  Their second daughter Cindy was born during this time.

During this same time, her husband received a grant from the UK to go to Cameroon, Africa to help create a written alphabet for an African tribe that, to that point, only had a spoken language.  They lived in a hut with mud floors and a grass roof and, of course, no electricity or running water.  It was very remote -- over three hours from the nearest city.  Janet’s main job was watching after their two young daughters in this unpredictable environment and helping with the missionary work. You can imagine the challenges and triumphs this young family experienced at this time of their life!  On returning from their second stint in Africa and after her girls were older, Janet went back to school to get her Master’s degree in Social Work from Temple University in Philadelphia.  After graduating, Janet worked as a social worker in varying capacities in the public schools system for 23 years in the surrounding Philadelphia suburbs.  Her work was both challenging and discouraging but overall gratifying.  Janet remembers the wonderful experiences she had when helping people make positive changes in their lives.  Every case was different, and she learned many problem-solving skills.

After retiring, Janet and her husband continued to travel.  Her favorite trip was travelling around the world when she was 62.  During this three-month trip, they explored Thailand, India, Australia, New Zealand, South America and Europe.  Wanting to be closer to her daughter and grandchildren, Janet eventually moved to Colorado and settled in Broomfield.  She has lived in our community for over 25 years and has recently welcomed her first great-grandchild into the world.

Since she is now vision-impaired and unable to shop on her own, Carry-Out Caravan has helped Janet stay independent. She says our services have had a very positive impact on her life.  She enjoys being able to call in each week and talk to the same volunteer order taker, Barb, who knows her and is familiar with her shopping orders.  In addition, she appreciates how her regular delivery driver, Earl, brings in her groceries, unpacks them, and even opens items she has difficulties handling alone! 

Thank you, Janet, for sharing your story with us and for being a friendly and regular client. Our volunteers enjoy taking your orders, shopping, and delivering to you each week!  It is gratifying for everyone involved in our programs to be able to make these kinds of human connections for so many who cannot get out on their own.  We are honored to serve you after your lifetime of helping others around the world!