Maria grew up in the Lehigh Valley, went to St. Louis for college, and returned to Pennsylvania after completing graduate school. Maria developed a passion for helping kids in foster care while she was in college. At that time, she volunteered and later worked at a group home for young children in foster care. A few years after returning to Pennsylvania, Maria became a foster parent to a child who lived with her for approximately a year and a half. Maria also provided respite care for several foster families. Maria is married, and she and her husband have one biological son. Maria worked for many years as a pediatric physical therapist and became a stay-at-home mom when her son was born. Maria feels honored to be a part of the Pennsylvania Orphan Care Alliance's team, and she is excited to see what will happen when Christians from churches across Lehigh County join together to support local families.
