LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) — Helping the less fortunate is more than just a job for the executive director at Lafayette Transitional Housing Center Homeless Services.

Jennifer Layton is being recognized as one of the Greater Lafayette YWCA's 2018 Women of Distinction.

Giving back to her community was an important part of Layton's upbringing.

"I've known from a young age that really it was my duty to provide community service and to really help those who need some assistance," said Layton.

That's been Layton's focus over the last two decades in Greater Lafayette.

Layton is in her 24th year of service at Lafayette Transitional Housing Center Homeless Services.

Most of that time has been spent as the center's executive director.

"We know that homelessness is something that can be solved because we've seen it happen," she said. "We see it happen here every day."

During Layton's time at LTHC, the agency has grown from one program to seven, and from serving nine families to helping more than 260 in 2017.

Over the past year, it assisted more than 1,600 different people. Almost 500 of those were children.

"Housing matters, and so when we can really come together and focus on solutions that help lift people up and really help them do better that's what I'm passionate about," she added.

Layton has been the Chair of the Greater Lafayette Homeward Bound walk for the last seven years. She also serves on the local United Way Directors' Association and the Board of Directors at Food Finders Food Bank.

Layton encourages people to help continue her passion of caring for the homeless, by volunteering time at LTHC.