Her Story
About Janey
Janey London, MS, VRC is a dedicated vocational rehabilitation counselor whose career is rooted in both professional expertise and personal resilience. For more than 15 years, she has served with the Pennsylvania Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR), helping adults with mental health challenges, substance use disorders, traumatic brain injuries, physical disabilities, and other barriers achieve meaningful employment and greater independence. Her work spans multiple counties in Pennsylvania, where she develops individualized plans, coordinates support services, and empowers clients to build successful futures through education, training, and workforce opportunities. What makes Janey’s story particularly inspiring is that she once stood in the shoes of the people she now serves. After suffering a life-altering traumatic brain injury that left her on life support and caused significant memory loss, she spent years rebuilding her life and navigating the rehabilitation process herself. With support from OVR, she earned her master’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh and eventually interned with the very organization that helped her recover. In a remarkable full-circle moment, Janey later succeeded her former OVR counselor by taking over his caseload, transforming a personal challenge into a lifelong mission of service. Throughout her career, Janey has become known for her compassion, empathy, and unwavering belief in the potential of every individual. She specializes in helping clients overcome obstacles that may have kept them out of the workforce for years, guiding them toward employment, confidence, and self-sufficiency. Her recent achievement of placing 30 clients into full-time employment—far exceeding her annual goal—reflects both her commitment and effectiveness. Janey believes that while education and training are important, genuine empathy is the most powerful tool in rehabilitation, allowing her to connect with clients, build trust, and help them recognize their own worth and capabilities.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Janey
01What do you attribute your success to?
My family and friends. But mostly, Jesus Christ. I would be lost without Him. My relationship with God has given me strength, hope, and love during the most difficult times of my life. His love is such a vital part of success.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Do something you love.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Don't get overwhelmed, because it takes a long time to learn the job, and don't have any shame in asking questions. Everyone learns differently. If you know that you have changed one person's life, then you are doing the job.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Funding is a major challenge - we never know what funding we're getting from year to year. Paperwork is another issue because it changes constantly. Policy updates. Additional information needed for each case.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Manners, empathy, humility, and my belief in Jesus Christ are the most important values to me. I also value raising someone who is kind. My son's nickname in grade school was Mr. Manners because he was so mannerly, and to me, that was the biggest compliment. I love that my son is kind and treats people well. Having gone through my traumatic brain injury definitely humbled me and made me a lot less judgmental. You truly never know what someone is going through. Everybody says one minute and everything can change, and that's the truth. One minute I fell, and I woke up a different person. That experience taught me the importance of empathy and understanding in everything I do.
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