A resident of Portage since age 6, Judy Fabian continues to shine a bright light. Behind her desk as Counselor at First Contact Christian Ministries, this beautiful lady goes above and beyond in her positive contribution to the community.
First Contact Christian Ministries is a Christian-run non-profit based in Valparaiso that works with 54 churches in Porter County to provide help to those in need. Judy began volunteering with the Portage office of First Contact in 2000. In her current role, she serves those in need in the City of Portage and Portage Township to meet their basic needs by providing assistance with food, rent, utilities or medication.
It is very easy to see why she holds the organization so close to her heart.
"One time I got down to 16 cents in my bank account, and before morning, I had checks totalling over $2000 from churches that worked with the organization. The Lord always comes through!"
During her time of need, the help provided to her left a lasting impression and motivated her to want to pay it forward. After speaking with JoAnne Maynard, Founder of the organization, it was a short 24 hours before she would begin volunteering for them.
"I felt led to become a part of the organization," she shared.
"Judy is a very devoted volunteer. We can always count on her and she has the heart to help people" shared Barb Kemler, Director, First Contact.
During her tenure in Portage, Judy attended Garyton Elementary School and graduated from Portage High School in 1958. Following high school, she married her high school sweetheart, Edwin, a Portage firefighter and school bus driver, and had celebrated their 40th anniversary before his passing. Five years later, she married a longtime friend Alfred Fabian, a professor at Ivy Tech and were married 9 years until his passing in 2013.
Judy spoke fondly of her 3 children, all of whom reside in Porter County. She is the proud grandmother of 7 grandchildren, 5 step grandchildren, 2 great-grandsons, and expecting her first great granddaughter in March 2016.
In her spare time, Judy is an avid reader and TV junkie. She professed that the Jimmy Swaggart Singers, HGTV, TCM, and old movies were her favorites to watch.
While speaking of her job, "The feeling of satisfaction that I get, even though we're volunteers, I'm paid much, much more from the Lord. I pray for the people that come to my office because I firmly believe that prayer helps" and shared "It's just so wonderful to be able to help somebody."
She works individually with 23 churches in the community that fund the project which allows her to help those in need. "We couldn't do it without the churches."
It is evident that Judy's Christian faith is a great strength to her as she strives to "pay it forward" to those she serves every day. She feels that the benefit of volunteerism is very rewarding whether you're working with a senior citizen, a child or someone that is just down on their luck.
"When I leave work, I have joy in my heart just knowing that I've helped someone."
Thank you, Judy, for your shining light and all that you contribute in making Portage a better place to live!