Meet Josh Jones, the director of advancement at Angel Guardians, Inc. (angelguardians.org).
Tell us a little about your business. – Angel Guardians is proud to offer a variety of self-chosen and self-directed services for individuals who experience intellectual/developmental disabilities. Our mission is to foster abilities, increase access to and create opportunities for inclusion.
How did you get started in the business? – I have been an active professional in the developmental disability community for over a decade. It was serendipitous to become involved with AGI. The company was looking for someone with leadership skills and advancement skills, and I was looking for ways to do more for the DD community in a major way and finally had available time to extend my hands. A mutual friend of both mine and the company knew our hearts, and I was introduced to the opportunity, turned out to be the perfect person.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? – The biggest challenge that I’ve face professionally is wishing everyone had the same passion as I do. I believe that it would make them feel more compelled to support my cause. I care deeply about the DD community, and I am doing all that I can to help.
What has been your most important achievement professionally? – My most important achievement professionally was starting my own shared living provider agency, The Vessel Network. We work with referral relationships on behalf of disabled individuals, to connect them with passionate caretakers for long lasting shared living provided relationships inside of their homes.
Tell us a little about your family. – I am a husband to Taisha Jones. We have been married for five years. We have one son, a very extraordinary kid, Janoah. He is four years old.
What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life? – Giving my life to Jesus when I was younger. I see everything from a spiritual standpoint. I learned the true meaning of love, and I have been living on purpose, which is serving community. Everything that I experience in life, I walk by faith, not by sight.
What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? – I love to spend family time, watch television, sports, hang out at community events, invite company over to hangout or a bit of being a couch potato.
What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know? – People know that I played basketball at Creighton, but they would have to want to meet me personally to find out the other extraordinary things about me.
Who inspires you? – My family, the people that I attempt to serve, those who are less fortunate and Jesus.
What is your favorite quote or the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? – I laugh and I joke, but I don’t play. – My dad.
What is your favorite book or the last good book you read? – The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein.
What is your favorite movie? – Forrest Gump.
What is your favorite local restaurant? – Wilby’s Comfort Food 2.0.
If you could have dinner with one famous person from the past or present, who would it be? – Kobe Bryant.
If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? – (402) 708-2146; josh@angelguardians.org; angelguardians.org.