Jeanette is a Birmingham, AL native who moved to the Dayton area in 1976 with her family. When her children were young, she took them to the library so they would foster a love and appreciation for reading. Upon her retirement, Jeanette needed something to do with her free time and was determined to find an opportunity that allowed her to work with children. After stumbling upon a DML volunteer opportunity online, she began helping with food distribution and then the Homework Help program at the Northwest Branch. Eventually, Jeanette downsized and moved to Clayton, thus transitioning to the Trotwood Branch to help in its Homework Help Center. This allowed her to continue impacting the lives of children within her own community.
“Jeanette is a caring person who will support and assist in any way she can. She is a great Trotwood team supporter who enjoys helping students and staff,” states Liz Hale, DML’s Homework Help Manager. “It takes special people like her to volunteer their time for a cause that is in great need throughout our community.”
Before retiring, Jeanette learned the profound impact that reading can have in person's life while teaching technology classes in a local prison. She saw first-hand the difficulties that illiteracy can have on a child’s ability to thrive. She believes in the necessity for community and strives to support and uplift children and families with her volunteerism. Jeanette taps into her grandmotherly warmth to give all students patient understanding as they work together. She makes every attempt to connect with children on their level and often shocks them with her familiarity of Dragon Ball Z.
Outside of DML, Jeanette is just as passionate about contributing to her community as she is to volunteering. In her free time, she spends time with her grandchildren, teaches a handbell choir at her church, plays piano, attempts to beat her friends in card games, watches tv, and, of course, reads. She prefers historical fiction books and movies and is a proud Downton Abbey lover. Jeanette has been a fan of The Godfather (series) since it came out. Her favorite time of year to curl up with a good book or a new show is in the winter while she watches the snow fall. Jeanette also looks forward to the holidays with family and friends.
Thank you, Jeanette, for over 100 hours of service at DML since March 2022!
Add a comment to: Meet Jeanette!