Maria is a long-standing VYFS Board Member. Maria was born and raised on a farm in a small town in Illinois. She got a BS in Psychology - Child Development, from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, and earned her MSW from the University of Illinois, Chicago. She moved to Vashon in 2000 when she was pregnant with the first of four children who are now college-age; was a stay-home Mom and active volunteer in the schools and community. She works part-time at the Catholic church where she has been an active member since coming to Vashon.