‘Her care for others pours out in all that she does’
By Jeff Kurowski | On Mission
GREEN BAY — If you live in, work in or visit the downtown area of Green Bay, Jenny VandenLangenberg is dedicated to making sure you find your surroundings welcoming.
For the past three of her eight years at Downtown Green Bay, Inc., VandenLangenberg has been working in the position of director of First Impressions.
“There are banners that you’ll see on the street. We take care of the planters, bringing life (to) the city,” she said. “There are a lot of residential (properties) and more on the way, so it’s people’s neighborhoods. We take pride in it. Come check us out.”
One of her projects has received a great deal of positive feedback, said VandenLangenberg.
“The CityDeck is lit up. It’s an absolutely beautiful time to come downtown in the winter,” she said. “We try to liven things up with holiday decorations.”
Helping to keep the downtown area clean also falls under VandenLangenberg’s job duties. She coordinates group cleanups, including working with volunteers. One of the volunteer groups is made up of clients from Aspiro in Green Bay, an organization with a mission to “create opportunities for people experiencing disabilities to live their best lives.”
“It’s really fulfilling working with the clients at Aspiro. They are making a huge difference in keeping downtown clean,” said VandenLangenberg. “I try to instill in them that they are doing such important work. And it’s helping me get my job done.”
VandenLangenberg, a member of Prince of Peace Parish, Green Bay (Bellevue), said that her faith has provided a foundation in her interactions with people.
“It’s about treating people with respect. Everybody has self-worth and I want them to know that,” she said. “That always helps in any situation at home, work — at church. I come from a really good family, a large family. My husband has a big family. I was blessed to be raised with good values and I like to spread them through my actions and my words.”
VandenLangenberg and her husband, Gary, have four children: Lily, 23; Robin, 21; Forest, 19; and Lake, 16.
VandenLangenberg has a long history with Prince of Peace Parish. She grew up as a member of Holy Martyrs of Gorcum Parish in Green Bay, which merged in 2004 with Holy Trinity in Pine Grove to form Prince of Peace Parish.
“I’ve been working at the church picnic since I was a teenager,” said VandenLangenberg, who chairs the food tent for the Prince of Peace Parish Picnic and Car Show, which will be held Sunday, Aug. 11.
VandenLangenberg, who describes herself as an “event coordinator at heart,” draws parallels between her work for Downtown Green Bay, Inc. and her volunteerism at the parish.
She assists with community events through her job, including the Saturday Farmers Market, Fridays on the Fox and ArtFest Green Bay.
In addition to the picnic, her leadership at the parish includes leading the Family and Youth Initiatives (FYI) Committee, serving on the parish council and coordinating parish blood drives through the American Red Cross, which is near and dear to her heart, she said.
“My son (Forest) is a leukemia survivor. He ended up getting many blood and platelet transfusions during his treatment,” said VandenLangenberg. “He’s alive because of that. I made a deal with God that I will coordinate blood drives as long as I possibly can.”
She credits her faith for helping her get through the difficult time of Forest’s illness.
“I couldn’t imagine without (faith) how it would have affected me personally,” she said. “We had the support of our parish family. The Prince of Peace family is absolutely an extension of our family. There are so many good people there.”
VandenLangenberg also serves the parish as a catechist, leads the Gospel Time children’s program and sings in the Rise and Sing Choir.
“I love (the choir) and really look forward to it every Sunday,” she said. “Our choir is a micro family. I’m just a singer. I assist the director in sending out information. We are another little family within the parish family.”
“We are always there for each other,” she added. “I wish everyone knew the value of being in a church family. You have a group of people who are always there for you. Getting involved is the key.”
In nominating VandenLangenberg for the Faith That Works Award, Red Hickey-Sember, communication coordinator at Prince of Peace Parish, wrote, “Jenny goes above and beyond for the glory of God and continuously strives to walk with people in their faith journey. Her care for others pours out in all that she does, ensuring each task she touches has the love of Christ in it. When you have the chance to work with Jenny, you just know she is filled with the Holy Spirit and continuously allows the Holy Spirit to flow through her into all that she does for church and work.”
“I hope I’m using my gifts the way God wants me to in order to bring people together,” said VandenLangenberg.
