BIO OF MARY ANN KAWALL
Gary, my husband, and I have lived in Marengo for the past 35 years. We are retired and have two grown daughters.
In 1987, I became the first Elder Abuse Investigator in McHenry County, while working as a nurse case worker for Senior Services Associates of McHenry County. I became the county Nursing Home Ombudsman for residents, working to protect them from abusive, neglectful or exploitive situations. It was here, for ten years, that I mastered how to connect clients with persons or organizations needed to resolve problems.
In 2002, I came to M.O.R.E. for the purpose of coordinating our Emergency Financial Assistance program. I assist clients who are facing eviction or utility shut-offs. Special situations are also addressed, such as prescriptions and gasoline. A large part of my job is listening and sorting through situations and seeking solutions in partnership with landlords, township supervisors, organizations and agencies. In 2003, I became a Salvation Army Service Extension Case Worker. Since 2002, over $100,000 of M.O.R.E. and Salvation Army funds has been distributed to help our area needy.