Passion project

Janice McGalliard started her non-profit organization in Portland with one goal in mind: to help children be their best self.

Be Your Best –– Always Be Evolving opened its doors to the public about two months ago. The brightly colored establishment located at 112 E. Main St. offers services individualized to meet a child’s needs.

“I kind of call it my passion project, honestly, it’s been in my head for a while,” explained co-owner Janice McGalliard. “It just kind of takes a holistic approach, looking at each kid individually and seeing what they need and developing a plan to teach them those things.”

Her services for children ages 5 through 18 include teaching social, organizational, educational or work skills; creating positive behavior plans to reach behavioral goals; teaching coping skills for dealing with anxiety, trauma and depression; working to confidence and self-esteem; and transition planning for children nearing adulthood.

“We’re trying to fill a void that we think is in Jay County,” said Brian McGalliard, Be Your Best co-owner and Janice’s husband.

Although she does teach children ways to cope, Janice explained, her service is more education-based.

“It’s not a counseling center, I’m always sure to tell people that,” she said. “I just teach kids how to cope with some of those hard things in life or maybe even just how to adjust to transitions, like going from high school to college, how to believe in themselves –– just whatever they’re needing right then.”

Janice works as a resource teacher at Jay School Corporation and welcomes clients through the summer. During the school year, she’s available on Saturdays and after school through the week.

Her personalized service offers help for young students with disabilities.

Janice’s son, Nicolas Crump, is autistic. Janice and Brian explained that when Nicolas was 14 years old, he would often avoid social settings. Now 21, he works and travels frequently.

Keeping Nicolas in mind, the McGalliards hope to help other children thrive.

“Our own goal is to see more success stories,” Brian said.

Janice has been working in education for about 20 years, including a few as principal at Redkey Elementary School.

“It was just my dream job,” Janice said.

When principal positions were reduced because of school consolidation, she started brainstorming other options for putting her education to use.

That’s how Be Your Best was born.

“The more I thought about it, the more excited I got and just decided to go for it,” said Janice, who has an educational specialist degree and master’s degree in school administration, a master’s degree in special education, is licensed to treat emotional and learning disabilities and licensed in language arts and historical perspectives. 

She’s currently training to become an ambassador for Charting the LifeCourse, an education network, and has been teaching children in China online every morning.

The McGalliards began renting the storefront on Main Street because of its location, right across the street from John Jay Center for Learning. The office includes a front room, a playroom and the A.B.E. (Always Be Evolving) Lincoln room, a space themed with decorations depicting the 16th U.S. president.

“I love Abe,” Janice said. “Look at his childhood and what he overcame in life and how he dealt with depression and persevered. And all the good that he did.”

One of the McGalliards’ goals for the business is to begin fundraising in order to be able to serve any child, regardless of economic status.

“I don’t want to turn any kids away,” Janice said.