Nan-Schreiners

=**Jane and Paul Schreiner - Community activists and music lovers**=



Jane and Paul Schreiner came to Valparaiso in the mid-1960's to attend Valparaiso University. After graduation, Paul volunteered for a year with Volunteers in Service to American (VISTA**),** which took him to New Hampshire to organize youth activities. Jane had worked with Walt Reiner in Chicago in the urban studies program through VU. In 1971, they got married.

Fast forward to the late 1980's. Walt Reiner addressed an adult forum at the Schreiners' church in Valparaiso. He was looking for volunteers to help move a family from Chicago, and was in desperate need of a good carpenter. The family was the first Black family to live in Valparaiso, and the house was going to be built on Walt Reiner's property. Jane said she would speak to her husband, and that was the beginning of a long partnership between Paul, Jane and Walt Reiner. Many Project Neighbors projects had Paul leading the workers.

Over the years, Paul's construction company, along with many other volunteers, built homes, and restored many buildings, including Hilltop House and Maria Elena Restaurant, as part of the Project Neighbors organization. The Walt Reiner Community Center was also a product of Paul's work. Paul has also worked tirelessly with another organization that managed the only homeless shelter in town, Spring Valley Shelter. When it was moved from an old motel to another location, Paul helped to rehab the new building. Trinity Lutheran Church's Trinity Houses has also provided homes for many families, including seven units built by Paul.

When asked why he does these things, his response was that working together with other people of vastly different backgrounds "levels the playing field, and eliminates the BS." The president of a huge corporation struggling with a piece of drywall is stripped of all the pretense that he may have to construct in the business world. Paul enjoys the relationship building accomplished through working together. The lack of hierarchy is what keeps volunteers coming back. He also said that it was gratifying to learn that he had some leadership abilities. Also, he said, you want to be able to think well of yourself, so when you see something that needs adjustment, and you can do it, you must. He admires those virtuous individuals who see a need and address it. Volunteering is a social outlet for him as well. Paul says he was influenced by JFK's call to service, rather than success. He loves being able to help empower others to do what they never considered doing - picking up the load and carrying it themselves.Paul Schreiner had a part in the beginning of the Human Relations Council in Valparaiso, a group of citizens working to raise awareness of racism, and change attitudes toward diversity.

Jane Schreiner is a hometown hero in her own right. She is a great encourager to many people, young and old, but particularly in her role as a mentor for theology students at VU. Over the last eight years, she has mentored six students, and comments that it has been her great pleasure. Paul says that Jane cares for individuals outside of her "official role." Jane is politically active, working to raise awareness for causes such as peace, voting, breastfeeding, and anti-racism. She is widely known to be a gracious and kind woman. She has opened a small business with several other women - [|Thrifty and Chic]. From a [|Valpolife].com article, "The shop is operated by five local women whose goals are to not only repurpose and recycle useful items, but to provide an outlet for many of their creative ideas. "

Two other enterprises the Schreiners have begun are [|Front Porch Music], which Paul says was a whimsical idea he and the other co-founder, John Derado, had in 1991, and Valparaiso's community radio station, WVLP. Ultimately, Jane was more involved with Front Porch Music on a day to day basis than Paul, doing many behind the scenes chores that no one ever saw, as well as hosting the Thursday night Open Stages. In that capacity, she developed relationships with dozens of people, young and old, who would all say she is hometown hero. Several years ago, the Schreiners sold Front Porch Music to their manager, Chad Clifford, who continues today. Jane still hosts the Open Stages, befriending anyone who walks in the door. The store sells guitars and other instruments, as well as offering lessons to over 300 students. It is a great asset to the Valparaiso community.

[|WVLP] is "the voice of Valparaiso," community radio. The station features programs on many, many different subjects, as well as music shows hosted by local community members with musical tastes from bluegrass to jazz to American classics. The antenna for the station is on top of Front Porch Music.