We had the good fortune of connecting with Janiese Finney and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Janiese, how did you come up with the idea for your business?
I was a Registered Nurse working with pediatric patients, when I noticed that we had several children essentially living in the hospital well after they were eligible for discharge. Many of the pediatric patients rarely had visitors if any at all and I was struck by the question, WHY? I found that these medically fragile children had been removed from their biological families by the Department of Child and Family Services for one reason or another and because of their medical challenges, appropriate foster placements, who could meet their medical needs proved to be a challenge as well. Children often remained in the hospital for extended periods after receiving care -waiting to be placed in homes that were unable to attend to their sensitive physical, social, and mental health needs. Those that were placed often returned to the hospital in need of repeat care. The children’s lack of continuity of care stunted their progress. Furthermore, the constant instability had a greater impact on their ability to transition into stable environments impacting all aspects of their development.
Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
The journey to create Loving Hands Children’s Home was not an easy one. My childhood was filled with frightful and traumatic events. I had an older sibling that was brutally killed at the age of 13 years old. My parents were my safety, my refuge. They were my comfort and there were many times when I found I truly difficult to cope, I didn’t understand why this horrible thing happened to my sister… I often wondered if I would be next. I clung to my parents and affixed myself to them almost like additional limbs. I sat by the restroom in wait for them to exit, at times . The fear was crippling. My mother often talks about how I’d care for other children who were less fortunate than I, giving them clean clothes, food, etc. It became my nature to comfort and care for others. I would grow up to become a Registered Nurse / Public Health Nurse. An injury at work and several subsequent surgeries prompted a necessary and immediate change in my world. My employer at the time refused to allow me back to regular duty and my livelihood and ability to care for and provide for my own family stood threatened and insecure. The children that I’d been caring for within the hospital setting sprang to the forefront of my mind. I began researching and contacting the necessary individuals to become licensed and have my home licensed to provide care.
Loving Hands Children’s Home offers a loving home environment and continuity of health care services
for displaced and medically fragile children within a loving home setting. We ensure that all of our clients are able to receive a wide variety of care services and activities that focus on Holistic care. We target not only areas of physical health, but promote emotional wellness, mental health, spiritual healing, intellectual & social wellbeing and environment health as well. We strive to maintain client dignity and esteem while providing compassionate client care.
We have found that love, support and time can and DO help to aid healing. We encourage our youth and help to build confidence, self esteem and leadership skills.
In addition, development of our wrap around programs and activities such as animal therapy foster emotional, physical , mentalhealth and well being. Our programs enhance and promote the progression of youth. We are a clean eating facility and do not utilize or consume animal products . Our Edible Forest combats global issues while enlightening and empowering our children. It applies the principles of ecology to mimic a forest ecosystem that provides a sustainable system offering food, fun, treats and delicious healthy goodness. Our edible forest offers practicality and teaches us how to live interdependently without exhausting our resources. It also employs the benefit of starting early, in teaching children the benefit of healthier food options and their healing benefits . Loving Hands Children’s Home insures thorough care within a loving family oriented environment.
We grant children a loving and safe childhood, in addition to continuity of health care, where they can recuperate and heal from past traumas. We help our children to focus on learning and fun while building positive childhood memories.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I have a 17 year old biological son! Ryan Finney aka RyanBluFinney. He is an amazing musician/ Drummer. He has only ever known, sharing his mommy with children who were in need of a loving hand. Initially, I was afraid of how this might affect him. I began taking him on Mommy/ Son Dates in effort to make up for the harm that I imagined I’d caused him! They are some of the best moments of my life! We’ve taken the ferry to Catalina, where we enjoyed stunning sights, zip line adventures and delicious food! We’ve taken adventures with spectacular kayaking tours to see the beautiful La Jolla sea caves, We have enjoyed Delicious dine-in movies at the Woodland Hills dine in theater (We are HUGE comic film adaption fans), We’ve enjoyed Dinner/ Lunch together at the thrilling Sunset Cafe, as we watched dolphins that seemed to be at arms distance swim along the shore all under magnificent sunsets. We have enjoyed the thrill of go car racing at the exhilarating MB2 Raceway. What a rush!!! We have also cheered for the LAKings from BoxSeats, enjoying our first hockey game TOGETHER. We have been blessed to share so many amazing memories and events… and many times were granted the support and opportunity to also share those phenomenal events with our children served.
The harm that I imagined I was doing to my son was actually NONEXISTENT. I am so proud and honored to call myself mommy of a young man who has grown to be caring, compassionate, kind, gentle, loving, empathetic and understanding, fun, funny, creative and super smart!
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Our success is credited to our phenomenal Loving Hands Community. We have phenomenal medical professionals that aid our cause, Social Workers, LAPD, Friends, Family and Amazing Community Members and Local Organizations that volunteer & support, sharing their hearts, talents and kindness to help us in putting big smiles on little faces.
Website: https://lovinghandschildrenshome.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lovinghandschildrenshome/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/mwlite/in/janiese-finney-rn-bsn-phn-122aa2a4
Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/2_loving_hands
Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/lovinghandschildrenshome/
Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCS51HdOudI6PXdPCeSvhLDg