Janelle (Burden) Hill ‘99 has certainly earned the title of “DoGooder,” an award she received in 2010 in recognition of her many works within the Grand Rapids Community. A 1999 Aquinas graduate, with dual majors in sociology and English, Hill began her service on the AQ campus, through the Service Learning office.

“As an Aquinas student, Janelle actively participated in a variety of service learning programs,” Eric Bridge, Service Learning Coordinator, said. “Janelle was a quick learner and readily shared her gifts and abilities to benefit others. She was eager to get involved and she always made things interesting and fun.”

Hill worked as the Service Learning Assistant during her time at Aquinas, along serving as a St. Joe’s Resident Assistant. Hill also participated in many Service Learning trips during Fall and Spring breaks. Those experiences, she said, numbered among her favorite and most memorable at Aquinas.

“[Aquinas] was a welcoming environment from the start and gave me a safe, comfortable space to grow into adulthood and build a community for myself,” Hill said. “I was able to explore my interests and beliefs as I participated in various courses and activities.”

The DoGooder Award, which is given out by the Grand Rapids Young NonProfit Professionals, recognizes volunteers who are involved in several organizations, take part in every volunteer opportunity they can, and never give up on their work for the community.

“It was an honor of course to be selected from such an amazing community of ‘do-gooders,’” Hill said. “But it was also cool for me to have the chance to promote volunteerism and to highlight some of the organizations that I volunteer with.”

Hill certainly deserves the recognition, as her work extends outside of her career at Arbor Circle and into organizations such as Gilda’s Club, the Grand Rapids Art Museum Volunteer Council, the Community Involvement Committee of the Grand Rapids Young Professionals Organization, and the Community Service Committee of the Center for Inquiry’s Seasons of Service Program.

“There are so many amazing things happening in Grand Rapids and I can’t be a part of every cause or event, but these groups allow me to participate in various projects in a small way,” Hill said. “Volunteering is a different way to experience the community, you go from observer to participant. I get to have a role in events like LaughFest and ArtPrize, and take pride in knowing that I had a little part in making them happen.”

Hill, as the Community Services Coordinator at Arbor Circle, also works with other organizations like the Volunteer Management Association of Western Michigan, the Kent County Mentoring Collaborative and the Mentor Michigan Providers Council. Through her work with these organizations and others, Hill has maintained a relationship with Eric Bridge and Aquinas’ Service Learning Department.

“Janelle is a trusted community partner and good friend. I admire her passion, commitment, and dedication to getting things done,” Bridge said. “Janelle has worked tirelessly to build and strengthen the network of volunteer/service professionals in the West Michigan area.”

Hill began her work at Arbor Circle as a Case Manager in the Homeless Youth Services program in July of 1999. Since then, she has coordinated Day Programming for local suspended or expelled youth, supervised a youth mentoring program, and organized youth community service projects. She is currently working with Homeless Youth Services to help guide participants toward achieving educational and employment goals, and to eventually help them create safe and stable housing.

“I enjoy watching the youth discover their talents and interests and how they may connect to their goals,” Hill said. “They begin to explore possibilities they didn’t know existed or didn’t believe were accessible to them. When I was their age, I had such a strong support system and so many wonderful opportunities and I want that for them, I want them to realize their potential and become the people they want to be.”

Hill’s support system, notably her parents, were inspirational in her career choice and passion for volunteering. Their own volunteer work within the Royal Oak area, where Hill is from, were instrumental for her, and her father’s presence at the award ceremony made the event all the more meaningful.

“My dad surprised me and came out for the awards,” Hill said. “My mom had passed away the year before and he shared how proud they both were of the community work I do, so that was a pretty special evening.”

Hill plans on continuing her work with Arbor Circle and continue bringing more focus to her projects, especially surrounding youth homelessness.

“I recently participated in the Leadership Grand Rapids program (class of 2011) and have come away from that with an expanded network and renewed commitment to tackle community issues through collaboration,” Hill said. “On a personal level I plan to turn my attentions to a smaller scale, building a family and getting more involved in my immediate neighborhood.”