Janel is one of those women who just has a presence. Yes, she’s naturally beautiful, and I’ve seen her with hair up in a bun, clad in sweats and she still looks flawless (she’s my neighbor). It’s the energy she gives off, her openness; her eyes carry no judgment. She’s seen a lot, she’s experienced a lot, and it has given her tremendous empathy.

Her father is a Marine, and she says, “we have lived all over, though most of my childhood was spent in Frederick, Maryland. Growing up, everyone in my family was either in the military or healthcare.” She wanted to incorporate both and be a nurse in the Marine Corps, but at 13 she was diagnosed with epilepsy and was no longer a candidate. “I didn’t have a backup plan...and I became a certified nursing assistant.” She was recruited by a modeling agency in Richmond, and went to live in Manhattan for a short time. “I did New York Fashion Week, but I was homesick. It wasn’t where I wanted to be.”

She was 19 and working in healthcare when she met her future husband PJ through mutual friends in Hampton, Virginia. “It was pretty much love at first sight. We married when I was 23 and when he joined the Army, we moved away. PJ was in Special Ops for ten years.” 

Over that time, they built a family. Noah is 11, Zoey, 9, and Caleb, 4. “Our philosophy since we had kids is to make sure we’re guiding them to be stewards and people of service. My husband’s schedule was always so demanding, and I started volunteering within my own community…volunteering at churches, food pantries, clothing banks. I started my own small nonprofit for local homeless outreach, and I still do that.”

Janel Dunegan

Photography: Renée C. Gage Photography

Styled by: The Hive

Shoot location: Corner of King and Fairfax Street

Last November, she also began volunteering for Foster the Family D.C, an organization that supports foster and adoptive families. “We aim to be present within the first 24-48 hours when a kid is entering a new foster family. We provide meals, two pairs of outfits, pjs, bottles, formulas, diapers, wipes, ethnic-specific hygiene, the things they need to feel more settled. We’re also mindful of the other foster children already living there. We don’t want them thinking there’s this new kid in the house and why are they getting all the gifts and attention, we pay attention to everyone.” 

Janel continues, “Unhoused children are even further marginalized than homeless adults. In the foster care community, no one thinks of orphanages, they just assume you’re being housed in a great foster care community or family. It’s underfunded and kids and parents alike struggle. And there isn’t good programming for these kids who age out of foster care. No one is teaching them the lifelong skills that you would learn from your parents.” 

She began as a volunteer and once Foster the Family had a position available, she really sunk her teeth in. “I’m the D.C. area manager and just started taking care of DC/Alexandria/Arlington/PG county as of June. We rely heavily on social workers and the Department of Family and Child Services to let them (foster families) know we exist. We work in close proximity with social workers, and in partnership with churches and businesses. And we have a program called Respite Nights that provides foster families with a much deserved date with spouse or partner, time to clean their house, get their nails done, whatever they need to do for themselves. Their foster children are in a safe place for free.” 

Donations make up a large portion of their funding, and they host two big events a year: a 5K and a Winter Wonderland. “We want these children to have all the same experiences that their classmates are having…seeing Santa, riding on a train, holiday gifts, food. Those things are expensive and more so for a foster family receiving limited state funding.” 

Janel says that because we live in the nation’s capital, it’s often thought that only the rough, underfunded neighborhoods have these problems. “They think ‘not Alexandria, not Old Town.’ But there are plenty of unhoused children right under your nose, your neighborhood. I think people don’t know…or act like it’s not happening here. Kids need support, families need support. Just showing up for them, just emotional support is such a huge relief for some people. Social workers have a stressful, hard job, and the turnover is constant.”

She says there is a place for everyone to serve. “If fostering is not your calling, you can give your time. We deliver meals, we do face painting, be a mentor, be a big brother. Make a donation.”

Janel said she has found her identity in addition to being a wife and a mother, and that it is built on community service. “I’m available at any capacity. If you want prayer, I’ll pray for you. If you’re hungry, I can prepare a meal. For Thanksgiving last year, my family walked around DC for three hours and passed around food to those who were in need. Everyone is someone’s child, and for whatever reason they're in a marginal bracket, they still need to be seen and loved. We’re not meant to do life alone.”

She shares her own sense of isolation. “We had a third trimester loss last August…a fetal demise. I remember feeling so helpless. I delivered Bryce Edward Dunegan straight into the arms of God.” Her church, Union City Church in DC uplifted her family during this dark time. “I try to find a lot of gratitude in the day to day. Good health, good family. I like to run and catch up with friends. I have a great support system, my husband, my family and my kids.”

See Janel’s Street Style: 

ABOUT JANEL

Neighborhood: I live just outside the beloved Old Town area. 

Hometown: Frederick, Maryland.

What would surprise people about you? I am a huge animal lover. From cows, goats, horses, chickens, bees and sheep to cats, dogs, snakes, rats and raccoons, opossums. You name it! I love every animal and hope to one day have a working farm. 

Favorite book or movie: I have a few that I really enjoy. The Kite Runner, Before We Were Yours, To Kill A Mockingbird, Lord Of The Flies, The Underground Girls of Kabul… so many! I love reading! Favorite movies…Titanic, Remember the Titans, A Beautiful Mind, Psycho, The Silence Of the Lambs, Grease, Lone Surviver, The Green Mile, We Were Soldiers…I love a good movie!

Guilty Pleasure: Indulging in desserts!

Latest binge-watch: Shameless

Bucket list travel destination: Australia 

STYLE

Define your style in three words or less: Mom on the run! (Sorry, it’s four).

The go-to piece in your wardrobe: Honestly, my robe! It’s always given me peace, comfort and relaxation.

Favorite trend: I don’t really follow trends. I try to steer away from “fast fashion” and enjoy more classic/timeless styles that are ethically sourced and not going to crumble after one season. 

Beauty product you can’t live without: Chapstick, a great face serum and face lotion.

Boots, sneakers, or sandals? I’d prefer to be barefoot 99% of the time. 

WELLNESS

Go-to way to de-stress: Running, reading or listening to worship music.

Most fun way to stay active: Rollerblading! 

Wellness goal: Clean eating. 

Want to try: Rock climbing. 

Proudest wellness achievement: Mental clarity. Learning that I am not in competition with anyone. My happiness is my own!

HOME

Favorite room in your home: Favorite room in your home: My bedroom. Somehow, all three of my kids, my husband and I, are able to curl up on Friday or Saturday to have movie nights. 

Antiques, modern, or a mix? Mix! 

Last item bought for your home: Candles.

Favorite way to entertain: My husband loves his smoker, so we will informally host driveway dinner hangouts. No pressure on guests or me. 

Clutter-free or well-lived in? Oof. Both. I like to find a good balance of peace in the home (by hiding toys) but let my kids play with their toys wherever, whenever. 

Next planned purchase: Hopefully a Skylight calendar, but will likely be groceries to prepare for back to school lunches/snacks.

ALEXANDRIA

What do you love about Alexandria Stylebook? Reading so many stories about different shops and the shop owners. It’s a great way to learn about the people in your community and invest in shopping small/local. 

Favorite spot in Alexandria: Jones Point Park.

Your Go-to Shop: I Love Happy Place. It makes me just that —HAPPY! Awesome place to buy gifts and cute little knickknacks.

Best food spot: I love Café Du Soleil for breakfast, Fish Market Restaurant for dinner and Pop’s Old Fashion Ice Cream for dessert. 

Favorite local organization: Foster The Family :)

Annual Alexandria event you most look forward to: Christmas Tree Lighting. 

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