12/14/2025
Janice Hall Johnston
Carolers Welcome Visitors to The Independence Village
By Ruth Ann Ruiz
The Post Newspaper Features Editor
Janice Johnston’s face glowed as she greeted guests on Tuesday during the Christmas Open House at The Independence Village in Texas City. Johnston has been executive director at The Independence Village for six months, and her pride in the residents and in her six months of service was very evident.
The open house included Christmas Carols sung by the residents. Their voices rang out with Christmas spirit, and they wore radiant smiles. First, they sang “Frosty the Snowman,” and second, they sang “Jingle Bells.”
Though they are all adults, they conveyed to visitors a childlike wonder, and their excitement about Christmas inspired smiles and applause from the guests who had come.
The Independence Village is an assisted living center for adults with developmental disabilities. Johnston brought her 28 years of experience working in public schools with special education students to the center, and along with that, she has made a few changes, such as painting the interior of the building. Some of the residents' living quarters are still being painted.
In addition to freshening up the interior paint of the center, Johnston’s leadership has helped to increase its number of residents to 24. Now there are only three places open for new residents.
The Independence Village was named 2025 Non-profit of The Year by The Daily News of Galveston County.
If you are interested in donating to The Independence Village, serving as a volunteer there, or learning more about the community on behalf of a loved one, please go to https://www.ivillagetexascity.org for more information.
