Being mom and volunteer are full-time occupation

By Libby James
Correspondent

About Community Cornerstone Nominations

Ten o'clock on a rare Monday morning--Linda Maher was at home, relaxing on the big comfortable couch in her favorite room with a spectacular fireplace and view of the mountains. She didn't have a meeting to attend until that afternoon.

Maher becomes animated, using words like "incredible" and "unbelievable" as she speaks about her life as a volunteer. A slender dynamo, she likes to begin her days early with a run that takes her to Cathy Fromme Prairie, a favorite spot.

"It's a head release," she said.

After that it's off to the races. She appreciates the fact that nearly all her activities take place during the day. That was especially important when her four children were at home. This year she and husband Mike, a mortgage broker, are getting used to an empty nest.

"It's hard," Maher said. "At first Mike had to keep reminding me that I wasn't cooking for six any more."

The Maher family moved to Fort Collins 14 years ago when Mike Jr., their oldest was in eighth grade. "He was determined to become a veterinarian, and quite honestly, we moved because we knew that Colorado State University would be a good school for him." Now 26, Mike Jr. is a third-year vet student at CSU.

Maher was born in Albany, N.Y., but spent her growing up years in south Florida, where she attended college for a year, considered a career in nursing, and ended up working as a dental assistant until she married and settled in to raise a family. As the kids came along, she began to volunteer in their schools. When she moved to Fort Collins, the pace quickened.

She served at Lopez Elementary, her children's school, as room mother and one-on-one tutor. As part of the Poudre School District Sidekicks program, she did tutoring and mentoring at Dunn Elementary School. At Webber Junior High School she was a member of the Parent Advisory Board and conducted book talks with students.

Ten years ago a notice in the newspaper drew Maher to the Victim Advocate Program at the Fort Collins Police Department.

"I knew there was more going on in this town than I was aware of," she said. "Being from south Florida, I wasn't a stranger to crime.

After a period of training in sexual assault issues, she became an active volunteer, on call five times a month and willing to show up whenever needed at a crime or crisis scene. She continues that work today.

Then followed work with the Suicide Resource Center, a private nonprofit formed 15 years ago to address the high rate of suicides in Larimer County. Maher served on the board for eight years, is now on the advisory board and does RAPP (Raising Awareness of Personal Power) presentations in health classes at junior high and high schools in Fort Collins, Loveland and Estes Park.

"Talks meet with amazing response from students," she said. "They often ask for help or suggest friends who they feel need assistance."

She has also been involved with an extremely successful peer-training program.

In her work with the Restorative Justice Program, Maher guides first-time teen offenders through a diversionary program that asks them to meet with their victim or a representative, repay the community and law enforcement, and take responsibility for their behavior. When they successfully complete a contract, charges are usually dropped. Only first-time offenders are eligible for the program.

The Women's Journey conference, held each year for PSD sophomores, juniors and seniors, provides a day-long opportunity for young women to attend break-out sessions dealing with issues specific to young women. Maher helps with logistics for the event, to be held in March at the Marriott Hotel. She's involved with another Marriott event, Two Hearts for Lacy: Amazing Women Safety Conference, set for Feb. 1 and 2, It is designed to raise awareness regarding safety issues for women.

And then there's Maher's work with the Teen Motor Vehicle Coalition, which helps parents and students to understand the graduated license program and encourages parents to firmly promote good driving habits in their children.

She also serves on the board of Team Fort Collins, promoting drug and alcohol awareness, and works with Homeless Prevention Initiative, which serves the homeless and at-risk through local churches by informing them of available resources in the community.

"I like to let them know about 211, a number they can call with questions about food, housing, medical care," Maher said.

At holiday time Maher switches her focus on youth a bit, by becoming an Elder Elf, delivering blankets, stuffed animals and treats to needy seniors. She believes there's a need for a senior advocacy foundation so that the needs of seniors can be heard. "Sometimes they're neglected," she said.

The family giving gene is alive and well in the Maher children. Brittany, 22, volunteers with the Denver Rescue Mission and has spent time in Japan on a mission with her church. Kalli, 20, an elementary education major at the University of Northern Colorado, directs an after-school program and volunteers at Transitional House in Greeley, where her mom shows up to help when her schedule allows. Mckynzie, 20, on a running scholarship at the University of Wyoming, is her team's greatest cheerleader, according to her mom.

Does Maher ever consider, given her high energy level, a paying position?

"No, never," she insisted. "When someone tries to give me something for what I do, I'm uncomfortable. It's not why I do things. I'm a volunteer because I like giving back to my community. I like networking, and I get to speak up."

She's grateful for her flexibility, for the opportunity to control her own time, for the option to say no when she needs to, and for the incredible support she receives from her husband. He is not only understanding, but frequently donates his resources to her causes.

Last month the couple traveled to Grand Junction to run in the 22.6-mile Rimrock Run. That, along with hanging out with their children, is their idea of a really good time. Now they're checking the Internet, in search of another running adventure.