ANDERSON — After two knee replacements that caused Bill Lantz to change careers from sales and running his own business to being a job coach and now a transition specialist at Hopewell Center, Lantz has found his calling, working with young people and adults with special needs.

Lantz, 50, who is married 30 years to Stephanie with whom he has a daughter, Stacey, 29, and a son, Brian, 27, was nominated by Sandra Montgomery, a co-worker who called him “Mr. Positive.”

Montgomery wrote this about Lantz: “He works here at Hopewell Center transitioning high school students into ‘life after school.’ He does about a million other non-paid things. He started a Sunday school class for people with disabilities in the nursing home who can’t attend church. He has started programs at several churches to include people with disabilities. He works as an advocate ... all of the time. The list goes on and on.”

Also, she wrote, “His office is full of toys and he always has a joke to make you laugh or a compliment to make your day.”

During an interview with Lantz in his office surrounded by his toys, he talked about his motivation. “I am a Christian, so I try to give God credit for any good thing in my life. It gives me so much joy to see others’ reactions.”

Describing his work, Lantz said he helps special education students graduating from the seven Madison County high schools transition to adult life. He talked about his volunteer work with “my friends with disabilities.”

Lantz said, “The difference between us and our friends with disabilities is we are smart enough to hide ours.”

Lantz talks about how the mentally disabled all have talents and abilities. During a recent gathering of one of the Sunday school classes Lantz helped start, the Sonshine Club at Middletown Nazarene Church, he introduced every member by pointing out a talent or positive attribute for every person. He touted the artistic ability of one, pointed out that two of the members were great “Elvis impersonators,” and described one woman as being “so sweet that, if you squeezed her, honey would come out of her ears.”

Lantz, who recently became a licensed minister with the Nazarene church, said that rather than lead an individual church his goal is to “plant ministries to share God’s love everywhere I can and to be an advocate for our friends with disabilities.”

Positive People is a weekly photo column about everyday people who do not ordinarily receive recognition and who have a positive influence on others, through volunteerism, mentoring, being a good neighbor or any other selfless acts that help individuals or the community.

Submit nominations to staff photographer Richard Sitler at richard.sitler@heraldbulletin.com or P.O. Box 1090, Anderson, IN 46015.