Mom's duties extend beyond the family
By Sophia Fischer sfischer@theacorn.com

JANN HENDRY/Acorn Newspapers Mae Greenwald, Tess Wilkoff and Diane Starzak

Among the moms who will be honored this Sunday on Mother's Day are those who "mother" well beyond their own families. Teachers, principals, volunteers and others who take care of us and our children through their jobs and leadership roles are special people indeed.

Three such women have had a major impact on the lives of Oak Park residents.

Mae Greenwald

Throughout the day students, parents and even former students come through Mae Greenwald's office door to visit with the Oak Park High college and career counselor. They come seeking advice on college choices, career direction, financial aid, scholarships, jobs, tutoring help--or just to say hello. No one leaves without encouraging words and a warm hug from Greenwald. She loves kids and lets them know it.

"I learn from them. They teach me music, how to talk, what people are thinking and how they address the world," said Greenwald, who has twin 19-year-old sons. "They are the future and I get to work with the future."

In her eight years at Oak Park Greenwald has helped hundreds of students figure out what to do after graduation. She's answered questions that range from "Where am I supposed to go to college?" to "I had a fight with my mother and I'm not speaking to her. What should I do?"

"She makes the individual feel they have value," said senior Breann Marlin. "Her door is always open. She'll help you with anything."

Greenwald tries to help students figure out who they are and to understand their own worth.

"Each kid is different," Greenwald said. "They really should be proud of who they are. What they bring to school is as valuable as the kid who brings a 4.8 (grade average) to school."

She also encourages students to become better decision-makers.

"I tell them to make dinner one night a week," Greenwald said. "You have to pick up the food, decide if it's nutritious, budget, clean it, cook it. Then they understand what mothers do and they have an appreciation for your families."

Diane Starzak

Diane Starzak is a good person to know, especially in a disaster. She'll be the one calming the scared, caring for the injured and directing rescue and relief efforts.

As director of Oak Park's Community Emergency Response Team, Starzak oversees a team of resident volunteers trained in basic first aid, CPR, search and rescue, fire suppression and other emergency procedures.

Starzak formed Oak Park's CERT team in 1997 with nine people. The team now has 39 active members who meet monthly.

Starzak, whose twin 19-year-old daughters graduated from Oak Park High, helped create a disaster supply stash at the school that includes first aid duffel bags strategically placed throughout campus. Starzak reminds residents of the importance of disaster preparedness through monthly notices in school and community bulletins.

"We encourage people to sign up for training for themselves and their families so they are prepared at home and at work," she said.

Starzak's team was put into action during the fall 2005 fires that came within feet of Oak Park homes. Starzak and 23 members of her team volunteered under the fire department's direction.

"Diane not only takes care of her family, she also takes care of the community like it's her family. She is so devoted to CERT and doesn't get a dime for it," said Maureen Hamilton of Oak Park. "She is truly committed to her family, friends, her community and to making the world a better place."

Tess Wilkoff

A lot more goes on in high school than academics. Students face all kinds of challenges from social to personal, and for that reason Tess Wilkoff is there to help.

For more than 18 years, Wilkoff, an Oak Park High guidance counselor, has helped students overcome their difficulties, listening and offering compassion and advice. Through her oversight of the school's Peer Counseling program, Wilkoff teaches teens to assist one another.

Peer counselors have alerted guidance counselors to potential crises and other problems that Wilkoff describes as "behind-the-scenes, unsung heroes type of work."

"The program taps into kids' natural instinct to care and to help. They've been able to offer support in various ways to the school population," Wilkoff said. "They've gone on and carried these incredible life skills in their lives." The peers also help by taking freshmen under their wings.

Senior Sam Jacobs, a peer counselor for two years, said Wilkoff's program taught her communication and listening skills. During one particularly difficult school day when Jacobs found little support from friends, she went to Wilkoff's office.

"She didn't care that it was in the middle of class or that she had other things to do. She made me a priority," Jacobs said. "She was very motherly and made me feel better."