Joni and Friends

This month our Vice President of Marketing and Engagement, Amy Hurtado, celebrates 16 incredible years with Joni and Friends! 🎉 Reflecting on her career, Amy shared some of the most valuable lessons she’s learned: Gratitude: “Working at a nonprofit, we all regularly have our plates full. We’re serving people and the need is so big.... Run with that. We are doing work that is at the heart of God. Look at who you’re serving and choose to show up each day with gratitude.” Own Your Experience: “Be solution oriented and change will happen. You can create the experience you want. Own it. Be curious. We all have spheres of influence so be the leader you want to see.” Inspiration from Joni Eareckson Tada: “I've learned so much about God’s sovereignty in suffering from Joni. Everyone is suffering and Joni is that model, truly, of what joy looks like through any challenge. My advice to new employees: Don’t miss your moments with Joni.” Amy, thank you for modeling Christ-centered, servant leadership for everyone around you! #Leadership #CareerAdvice #Inspiration #Ministry #NonprofitWork 

Today marks a significant milestone as we honor the 75th birthday of our Founder, Joni Eareckson Tada! Her life and ministry is a powerful testament to God's faithfulness and Joni's unwavering commitment to sharing hope through hardship. As a quadriplegic, Joni understands that every year is a gift. Which is why she dedicates her time and energy to providing hope and support to individuals facing the challenges of disability and isolation. Take a moment to wish Joni a Happy Birthday in the comments below and recognize the remarkable legacy she has built, along with the ongoing impact she continues to make in the lives of millions around the world! 🥳 #JoniEarecksonTada #Faithfulness #BirthdayCelebration #Inspiration #DisabilityAdvocacy

In a recent conversation with WiLD Leaders, Inc., our president, Laura Gardner, shared her personal journey in servant leadership, the growth of Joni and Friends, and how trust plays a crucial role in building a thriving organizational culture. Don't miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights into how a mission-driven approach can inspire teams and transform communities. 💡 Watch the full conversation here: https://lnkd.in/e6xhkrYc #ServantLeadership #Leadership #Ministry #Disability #Inclusion 

At Joni and Friends, Lead Like Jesus is more than just a training method—it’s the cornerstone of our culture. Every new team member undergoes this training, and we continually reaffirm our dedication to it. It influences our policies, programs, and practices, nurturing exceptional teamwork and unity! Kait, our Social Media Specialist, shares her experience with the two-day leadership development workshop: "The multi-day Lead Like Jesus Encounter was both challenging and inspiring. The training and workbook encouraged me to reflect deeply on my leadership style and how I can better serve those around me. What made the experience even more impactful was the opportunity to go through it alongside my peers. The practical tools and insights I gained from this course have already begun to shape the way I approach my role at Joni and Friends. I am so excited to continue applying these lessons and to grow as a leader who reflects the heart of Jesus in all I do." At Joni and Friends, we're not just learning—we're living out our commitment to lead with purpose and compassion. “New employees come on board and they are stunned. They’re amazed that we offer something like Lead Like Jesus. It’s so unique for any place of business. In every situation, we want our employees to exalt God only, and I think Lead Like Jesus has really helped infuse that in our culture.” - Joni Eareckson Tada #Leadership #CareerDevelopment #LeadershipDevelopment #TeamBuilding #LeadLikeJesus #Ministry

🎉 We’re excited to celebrate Marilyn Sappington’s 3-year work anniversary at Joni and Friends! Marilyn, your dedication to our mission of bringing the hope of Christ to individuals impacted by disability has made a profound difference. Your commitment to our "Lead Like Jesus" work culture shines through in everything you do—from your compassionate interactions to your passion for service. We are blessed to have you on our team and look forward to many more years of serving together, making an impact, and witnessing lives transformed. Thank you, Marilyn, for being such a wonderful example of loving and caring for people well. Here’s to continued growth, service, and God’s blessings on this journey! 🙌 #WorkAnniversary #LeadLikeJesus #Gratitude #DisabilityMinistry #JoniandFriends #Impact

After overseeing two years of strong growth and globally expanding ministry among individuals living with disability, President Laura Gardner has announced she will be stepping down from her role at Joni and Friends. She’s made the decision to step away so she can dedicate more time to her family, which will require relocating to Florida. Laura will remain involved with the ministry in a less intensive capacity. Laura joined Joni and Friends in 2011 as volunteer coordinator before serving in a variety of roles including executive vice president and chief financial officer before being appointed president in 2022. “It has been my great privilege to serve Joni and Friends for these past 13 years and as president for the past two years,” she said. “I will always support this ministry. Joni and Friends will always have my heart.” During Laura’s tenure as president, Joni and Friends received the Ukrainian White Cross Award for providing aid during the Ukraine war, celebrated the grand opening of a state-of-the-art Joni’s House disability center in Brazil, and commemorated 45 years in ministry, including more than 230,000 wheelchairs distributed around the globe. Read more about Laura's role change and thoughtful plans for transition. 👇 https://lnkd.in/eVtcEZU9

In 2023 only 22.5% of people with a disability were employed. For National Disability Employment Awareness Month, let’s highlight the significant role that employment plays for individuals with disabilities. Employment not only provides financial stability, purpose, and healthcare but also fosters a sense of belonging and community. Organizations that value diversity often discover dedicated and skilled team members with unique abilities. At Joni and Friends, we encourage enhancing access and opportunities for individuals with disabilities in your workplace. Here’s why hiring people with disabilities benefits your organization:  •  It demonstrates a strong commitment to inclusion and community engagement.  •  Employees with disabilities frequently excel as team players, boosting overall productivity.  •  A diverse workforce that attracts a wider range of customers and clients.  •  People with disabilities often stay longer with a company and deliver high performance.  •  They are usually open to creative solutions for accommodations, making workplace adjustments smoother.  •  Including them in your team helps raise awareness and sensitivity, benefiting everyone. Is your workplace leveraging the unique talents and perspectives of people with disabilities? Discover more on this topic from author and writer, Dave Deuel. 👇 https://lnkd.in/e89Kmc_9. #DEI #Disability #Employment #Accessibility #EqualOpportunity #NDEAM

Our North Carolina office recently received over 50 wheelchairs that will be refurbished to like-new condition and distributed to people around the globe through our Wheels for the World program. This program is dedicated to restoring donated mobility equipment, including manual wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, and canes, and delivering them internationally to people with disabilities who have little to no access to the mobility devices they desperately need. Each recipient receives a custom-fitted wheelchair, a Bible in their native language, and the message of Gospel hope. You can help make a meaningful impact in the lives of people living with disability. Learn how! 👇 https://lnkd.in/g9MtS454 #WheelsForTheWorld #JoniAndFriends #Disability #Volunteers #Ministry

We were thrilled to once again co-host a sensory-friendly morning at the State Fair of Texas®! These special mornings were designed to make the fair more inclusive and welcoming for individuals with sensory sensitivities, ensuring that everyone could enjoy the excitement of the fair in a comfortable environment. Our team from Joni and Friends was there to provide support, including volunteers to help families navigate the fairgrounds and ensure a positive experience for all. Find out more about sensory-friendly mornings here: https://lnkd.in/ep-FwmGz

We were thrilled to partner with the Texas Homeschool Classic to bring together athletes of all abilities for a disability-friendly day at the Dallas Cowboys training field! 🏈 This event provided an opportunity for players, both with and without disabilities, to come together, share their love for football, and build meaningful connections. It was a powerful reminder of how sports can bring us all together. Thank you to all the participants, volunteers, and coaches who made this day so incredible. Your passion and commitment are what make moments like this possible! #Inclusion #Disability #Volunteering #NFL #Football #DallasCowboys