Homeless Health Initiative: Dianna Maiorano's Story

When Dianna Maiorano, MBA, thinks back on her own childhood, she has wonderful memories — even though her family didn’t have much money.

A business analyst with CHOP's Information Services department, Maiorano says she sees volunteering with the Homeless Health Initiative (HHI) as an opportunity to build positive memories for children and families living in homeless shelters.

Helping the families during Operation CHOICES sessions or assisting moms and their kids while they make holiday decorations allows her to bring a sense of caring and commitment to shelter residents, and to demonstrate that people outside their immediate circle of friends and family also care about their health and well-being.

She draws inspiration from how hard mothers work to improve their own health and the health of their children by exercising and learning about healthy food; and from watching a hardened teenager shed her attitude and enjoy making holiday ornaments.

What keeps bringing her back? Seeing how a little kindness can bring delight to a child and hearing how much the mothers appreciate HHI’s efforts to brighten their difficult circumstances.

Originally posted: May 2013