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Board Member Profile
By Sylvia Ewing
Mary Maltese is a Child Link board officer who brings compassion, commitment and charisma to her volunteer charity work. Her connection to the work comes from direct observation. "Kids don't always get a fair shake," she says, "and Child Link is there to help them." Over the years, she has met parents who became parents because of Child Link. "I know that not every foster parent is willing and able to adopt, but there are many who would like to. It is wonderful to see these parents, especially later in their lives, and to see the positive impact they have on kids. Child Link makes adoption possible and less difficult for all concerned."
There have been many memorable moments for Mary over the years. She was impressed when Illinois State Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka became interested in what Child Link does. She has also been thrilled to see young women in the residential facility learn living skills, from how to cook to how to be responsibly employed. Child Link enriches and changes lives, including Mary's, and that's why she stays involved.