Story 6 - Bill Janike: NHRI’s Leadership in the Lancaster Juvenile Court

William (Bill) Janike grew up in Lincoln, graduating from Lincoln Northeast High School. At UNL, Bill was a member of Sigma Chi fraternity, pursued a degree in business, and then became involved in NHRI's Childs Project—or "Project" as it was called in those days. As he recalls, his older sister, Sharon, was the one who originally suggested that he get involved. Unsure of what he wanted to do with his life, Bill was encouraged by Dr. Clifton and Dr. Hall to get a Master's degree in Educational Psychology. Dr. Clifton was Bill's adviser for his advanced degree and saw the degree as a road to personnel work in Bill's future. During graduate school, Bill was hired to oversee NHRI’s finances as part of an assistantship while working on his master’s degree, so his involvement with the program continued, only on a deeper level.

Shortly after Bill began working as a probation officer in 1965, he served as Chair of Uni-Linc Project and Com-Linc Project which were recently created. Uni-Linc counselors were university students and Com-Linc counselors were adults in the community. These projects were an important part of the probation services offered by the Separate Juvenile Court of Lancaster County. Related with the University-Lincoln Project, this project involves citizens of Lincoln.

It was while he was completing his graduate work that Bill came to the attention of Judge William Nuernberger, the Lancaster County Juvenile Court Judge. He was seeking volunteers to work with youth being adjudicated by the court system. After a time, the Judge hired Bill as a part-time probation officer. That position evolved into 34 years with the Court, culminating with Bill's service as Chief Probation Officer, a position he held from 1985 until his retirement in 1999.

In 1989, NHRI and the Lancaster County Juvenile Court revitalized a project to help the youth of our community: Uni-Linc Project provides a unique opportunity for university student leaders to invest in young students who are on probation and under the supervision of the Lancaster County Juvenile Court. Research shows that the improved self-esteem the junior counselors gain as a result of the positive relationships they develop with their counselors leads to an increase in school attendance, and has a positive effect on academic performance and juvenile delinquency.

Youth who are recommended for Uni-Linc are believed to benefit from having positive one-on-one relationships with college students. By serving as role models and mentors, counselors can make a lasting difference in the lives of these young people. 

In the fall of 1992, Uni-Linc expanded and, because of the increase in numbers, became two separate groups: LIFT (new counselors) and Impact (returning counselors). By Spring of 1994, the two groups reintegrated into one group. The project’s final meetings occurred in the 2001-2002 school year.

Even though it was not a part of NHRI, a Probation Officer named Marti Barnhouse, along with Karen DeBrown—who had been an NHRI counselor while in college—organized a number of female students and adults in the community to mentor adolescent girls who were on probation. This initiative further emphasized the importance of mentorship and positive relationships in supporting at-risk youth.

Bill continued his work as a therapist at the Child Guidance Center, working with families and supporting their efforts to strengthen the working dynamics of their homes. Bill's clients range in age from three-year-olds to19-year-olds. Describing his work as "helping kids feel good about themselves," Bill does not believe it is necessary to coerce people into behaving positively if you are helping them see themselves in a strong, positive light. His work relies heavily on the power of seeing the good in each person and on the good listening skills that he learned so well from Dr. Hall's classes.

Bill continued to give back to NHRI well into his adult life and speaks volumes about his loyalty and service to others. Bill served on the Board of Directors for many years, including a two-year term as President. He has consistently supported and believed in the philosophy of NHRI and has never failed to help in any way he can. Perhaps his greatest contribution was sharing his five children with the program.