Janine has been a member of the Rotary Club for approximately one year now. The Rotary is an international organization dedicated to providing humanitarian services. It places strong emphasis on peace and goodwill as well as service to one’s society. Janine has been involved in several Rotary programs including the Annual Rotary Elders’ Dinner and Nunavut Habitat for Humanity. Habitat for Humanity is dedicated to breaking the cycle of poverty by utilizing volunteers to build affordable housing. Iqaluit has been lucky enough to have two Habitat houses built in the last few years and Janine was actively involved in both builds

During her years in Iqaluit, Janine has dedicated a significant amount of her time to various volunteer endeavours. Aside from her Rotarian status and dedication to the Habitat projects, Janine has also been a volunteer for the Iqaluit Food Bank. She has also found the time to work with youth in the community. Since moving to Iqaluit seven years ago, Janine has worked at the local Youth Centre. She has several shifts a week at the centre; half of which are as a volunteer. Youth in Iqaluit have high rates of suicide, substance abuse, and dropping out. Janine has always taken a personal interest in fostering a sense of self-worth in these at risk youth to help guide them to make better choices.

Perhaps her biggest volunteer project and her greatest impact on the City of Iqaluit is the Iqaluit Humane Society. As one of the founding members and current president, Janine has built the society from the ground up. A few years ago, she was finding foster parents for stray dogs and using her own personal time (not to mention vehicle) to transport animals to Canadian North Cargo for shipping to southern facilities in the hopes of a better life. The society has grown significantly since then and was officially incorporated in 2007. In 2008, I H S proudly opened the doors to their very own animal shelter. Stray animals of Nuanvut now have a greater chance at life through adoptions to homes both locally and in the South. The Society has gone from Janine and one or two other people to now having somewhere in the range of 30-40 volunteers. I H S now has connections with several other shelters in Southern Canada and runs multiple fundraisers including Bingos, Dog Washes, and `Puppy Love`; an annual Valentine’s Day Dance.

Janine`s volunteerism hasn’t just been confined to the last seven years in Iqaluit. During her attendance at university in Nova Scotia she donated her time to working with the elderly at a care facility.

She was also a youth leader for Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Canada in her home province of Newfoundland. As a youth leader, she had to travel to other parts of Canada to attend conferences, where she represented her local chapter.

Congratulations Janine on being selected as the 2010 Recipient of the Andy Theriault Award. You have definitely put " service above self" !