Copyright © 2024 Walk of Joy
Adria M. Maples is the Director of Residential Services for Walk of Joy. In this role, she develops, advises, manages, directs all aspects of this division.
Prior to joining Walk of Joy in July of 2020, she spent over 20 years working in the field of banking with US Bank, Fifth Third and several credit unions She worked in several different divisions in management, operations and retail. She has spent many years caring for people in her personal life in a direct care capacity.
She believes all individuals with disabilities have a voice. We should create as many opportunities as possible to help them achieve their independence in life. She also empowers people with disabilities to achieve their personal goals. She feels that everyone deserves love.
To contact Adria please email her at [email protected] or go to our website at walkofjoy.org.
Anthony Barnhart serves in several capacities with Walk of Joy. He is an Employment Specialist with the Go Bloom employment division and is a Direct Support Professional (DSP) Lead in the residential division. In his role as an Employment Specialist he coordinates employment supports, job placement, and job training for individuals and teams.
In his role as a DSP Lead, he coordinates and oversees all services delivered in the homes and community for the people we serve.
Anthony has spent over 10 years working in the field of adults with disabilities. He began working as a DSP and then was promoted to be the lead of a residential site.
Anthony believes that individuals are assets to our community and supports integrating all individuals into the typical workforce. He is passionate helping people of all abilities to reach their full potential and flourish in their pursuit of their dreams.
To contact Anthony Barnhart please email [email protected] or go to our website at walkofjoy.org.
Debbie Ellis is an Integration Specialist for Walk of Joy residential services and the Flight day program. She also serves as a Direct Support Professional (DSP) at various sites. In her role as a DSP, she provides support and assistance to individuals in their home and community to ensure that they are reaching their independence goals and are fulfilled in their lives. As an Integration Specialist, she searches for, and coordinates opportunities for individuals to be an integral part of their community where they can connect with people through based on their gifts and talents.
Debbie has spent over 30 years as Recreational Therapist, a DSP and Care Coordinator for Brookside and CCI in Cincinnati.
Debbie believes everyone has a voice. It is very important to her that everyone has someone to help advocate for them and that they have an intricate part of choosing what they want in their life. She helps people at Walk of Joy find their voice so that they can live and work in what makes them happy and to have a fulfilling, purpose filled life. She is also passionate about volunteering, animal rights and enjoys time with her family.
To contact Debbie Ellis please email her at [email protected] or go to our website at walkofjoy.org.
Erin Grause is a Program Support Specialist with Walk of Joy. In this role, Erin coordinates and supports many different aspects of our programs and the services we offer. She provides support, planning, creativity and organization to Walk of Joy, Flight, and Go Bloom. In this role, she provides administrative support, information technology support and training, organization, planning and implementing events for all of the individuals we serve.
Prior to joining Walk of Joy in 2020, she spent many years working with several non-profit organizations, office management and event planning in many different fields of interest. Erin has more than 10 years experience in managing and programming for people of all ages and abilities. She has worked for Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, St. Ignatius School, Mercy Health Alliance, varying small businesses, as well as many years in the customer service industry.
Erin believes that every single person deserves a good quality of life, independence, inclusion, love and support no matter their abilities, race, color or religion. She is passionate about everyone we serve and believes that God is an intricate part in how we care, support and work with all of our clients and how we work together as a team.
To contact Erin Grause please email her at [email protected] or go to our website at walkofjoy.org.
Jessica Watanabe serves as the Director of Administration at Walk of Joy. She is also a co-founder of Walk of Joy. In his role, she is responsible for every aspect of the organizations administrative functions. She assist the CEO with all operations and directing of a three divisions in the organization. She is also the so-founder and Executive Board Member acting as the Secretary of the Non-Profit Agency InJoy Revival, which has a mission to serve people who serve people.
Jessica earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in Social Sciences and a concentration on Juveniles, at the University of Cincinnati. She is Trauma Certified and has served as a board member for the Tri-State Trauma Network (TTN). She serves on the Resiliency Team at Walk of Joy, which is a Trauma Responsive agency, in which the culture is sensitive to what has happened to people. She is also responsible for the implementation of identified interventions to help people build upon their resiliency and to heal from past trauma’s
Jessica has spent over 25 years serving people in need in several capacities. She began her work at Lighthouse Youth Services as a Direct Support Professional (DSP) working with children and families in need. She then worked at Hamilton County Jobs and Families Services (HCJFS) as an Ongoing and In-take Children’s Services Worker. From there she went on to be a Care Coordinator at Hamilton Choices, where she managed and coordinated care for children and families. She then worked for the agency Support Care which served people with disabilities in their homes and community as a Program Director. In 2008 she partnered with her husband Wendell Anderson to start their own agency that serves people with disabilities. In 2018 she continued her experiences in the field by working for Hamilton County Developmental Disabilities Services (HCDDS) as a Service and Support Administrator (SSA), and a Trainer and Consultant at The Academy for Direct Support Professionals (ADSP) before returning to Walk of Joy in 2020.
Jessica is a follower of Christ who is committed to God’s way of helping and loving people. She has always felt called to serve people in need in her home, family and community. She believes that people of all abilities can be included and valued for their purpose and contributions in this world. She has seen people gain their valued roles in society through serving others with the gifts and talents that they were given.
To contact Jessica please email her at [email protected] or go to our website at walkofjoy.org.
Lana Murph is a Flight Coordinator for our Walk of Joy Flight Day Program. In this role, Lana provides a meaningful day for all of the individuals who attend our program, while coordinating every aspect of the planning and implementation of the programs design. On a daily basis, she offers support for our clients to develop their personal potential, explore their interests and assist them in integrating into their community.
Lana joined Walk of Joy in June of 2012 as a Direct Support Professional (DSP) and was later promoted to a DSP Lead position. She has been serving people with disabilities for over 20 years as a DSP. Prior to working with Walk of Joy, she served seniors in the long-term care sector, as well as direct patient care in their homes. She has worked for the agencies Assisting Hands Providers and Lorry J’s. Her varied background in senior care, direct patient care and many years of experience in assisting all individuals brings a foundation that is vital to our program and our clients.
Lana believes that every individual deserves the opportunity to be integrated into the community and given opportunities to learn and grow in their daily lives. She is passionate about getting all individuals to focus on ability and not disability. She believes that everyone deserves equal opportunities and to be treated and accepted for whom they are.
To contact Lana Murph please email her at [email protected] or go to our website walkofjoy.org.
Megan Godbey is the Career and Program Specialist at the Walk of Joy Go Bloom Employment Division. In this role, she provides direct support, training and extended services to people with disabilities to secure, maintain and enhance employment in the community. She will also promote, educate and guide individuals served toward pursuing the career of their choice. This program assists individuals with job exploration and development, as well as, to advocate and promote economic independence.
Megan rejoined Walk of Joy in August of 2020 after earning her Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education from the University of Cincinnati. She had worked as Direct Support Professional (DSP) with Walk of Joy for many years in the community. She has years of experience in customer service and has many other skill sets that she is able to share with our administrative team. She is an artist and excellent administrator who is growing in her roles at this agency.
Megan believes that individuals all have the opportunity and skills required to succeed in the community alongside others. With the help of our team as a whole, Megan says that all of our individuals can learn the skills to be independent, cooperative and more than efficient in the workplace and community.
To contact Megan please email [email protected] or go to our website at walkofjoy.org.
Natalie Bartlett is a Residential Coordinator with Walk of Joy. In this role she assists in the coordination of all of the needs of the individuals in this program, including but not limited to their daily care, schedules, health and well-being, as well as all activities in the community.
She has spent many years caring for people in a direct care capacity and has served as a Direct Support Professional with Walk of Joy. Prior to joining our team she worked in the insurance industry and provided customer service at several businesses where she also managed employees and all operations of those establishments.
Natalie believes that all individuals deserve the freedom and independence that they want for themselves. She is Passionate about and believes every individual we care for deserves to live a happy, fulfilled and independent life. She believes no disability defines the way a person lives.
To contact Natalie Bartlett please email her at [email protected], or go to our website at walkofjoy.org.
Tiffany Gaines is the Quality Assurance Manager at Walk of Joy. In this role, she oversees all operations and implements strategies to ensure that the quality of care and systems are in place, and that they comply with all of the company’s policies and procedures. She also serves in as a Direct Care Support (DSP) where she ensures that the day to day needs of the clients are met according to their care plans.
Tiffany joined Walk of Joy in r 10 years working in the field of adults with disabilities. He began working as a DSP and then was promoted to be the lead of a residential site.
Tiffany is a believer and Ephesians 4:31-32 KJV scripture says it all for her, “Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put away from you with malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”
To contact Tiffany please email her at [email protected] or go to our website at walkofjoy.org.
Wendell Anderson Jr. is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at Walk of Joy which was started in June of 2008. He is also the founder and owner of the agency and all the divisions. In his role, he is responsible for every aspect of the organization, from finances, to operations, directing and developing programming for all divisions. He works collaboratively with several agencies in our community that serve people in need. He also serves on the Executive Board of The Academy of Direct Support Professionals. He is a founding member of the Gold Standard Organization supported by Hamilton County Developmental Disabilities services, and was chosen to participate in an Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities Grant to strengthen agencies by being Trauma Informed. He is also the Founder and Executive Board Member acting as the President of a Non-Profit Agency InJoy Revival, which has a mission to serve people who serve people.
Wendell has spent over 20 years serving people in need in several capacities. He began his work as a State Tested Nursing Assistant (STNA) in several facilities and in their homes. He was a Certified Independent Provider for the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities (ODDS), he was a Direct Support Professional (DSP) at Ohio Valley Residential Services (OVRS) and was later promoted to House Manager. He then worked at Cincinnati Recreational Commission (CRC), Therapeutic Recreation (TR) Division, where he was a Director over several recreational programs. He was then a Care Coordinator at Hamilton Choices where he managed and coordinated care for children and families within a Wrap Around model of care. He went on to work for Support Care as a Service Support Coordinator over four sites that supported individuals with disabilities. He then went on to start his own agency with his wife Jessica Watanabe in 2008 where he has been ever since.
Wendell’s life is guided by faith in God and in belief that we are all created for a purpose. This purpose can be realized by seeking understanding and acceptance of each other, which will lead to healing and love for one another.
To contact Wendell please email him at [email protected] or go to our website at walkofjoy.org.
Whitney McNiel is the Director of Programming and Career Services for Walk of Joy which includes the Flight day program and Go Bloom employment services. In these roles, Whitney develops, advises, manages and directs all aspects of each of these divisions. She is Trauma Certified and uses a Trauma Responsive approach to help people build upon their resilience and healing journey.
Prior to joining Walk of Joy in April of 2015, she spent over 20 years working in the field with Cincinnati Recreation Commission, Therapeutic Recreation Division, directing and operating many programs, Lexington Parks Recreation and Cardinal Hill Rehabilitation Hospital. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Recreation and Park Administration with an emphasis on Therapeutic Recreation from Eastern Kentucky University.
Whitney believes in advocating for all individuals with disabilities and creating as many opportunities that she can for them to achieve as much independence as possible. She also empowers people with disabilities through educating, training and encouraging them to achieve their personal goals. She feels that working with people with disabilities teaches her about life, love and acceptance of all.
To contact Whitney please email her at [email protected] or go to our website at walkofjoy.org.
