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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 wendell@walkofjoy.org 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 whitney@walkofjoy.org or go to our website at walkofjoy.org.