June 21-25 virtual fundraiser evokes life lessons for one Maryville alumna

Maryville's 2nd Annual Virtual Week of Giving fundraiser started yesterday and will run through Friday, June 25. It features exciting auction items and showcases heartwarming videos from proud alumni who are sharing how living at Maryville changed their lives.

Joanna Nicolas, one of the alumni, is featured today at the virtual event site at https://e.givesmart.com/events/mdm/.

She lived at Maryville for four years in the 1990s.

"I owe so much to Maryville. It provided me with safe shelter, trauma intervention, a rigorous education and modeling of a life and lifestyle that I had not had much exposure to," Nicolas said.

She said the tools she was taught while at Maryville allowed her to learn what was possible with hard work and effort.

"I had the barriers to that achievement lowered by having my college education subsidized, having access to tutors and mentors and having support funds while in college allowing me to participate in academic internships and international course work."

"There are many experiences and opportunities that lead directly to the life I live now," Nicolas said. "The financial and physical support that Maryville gave me allowed all of those to happen."

Nicolas is happily married to her husband Matt and they have five children. She is an accomplished STEM education specialist in central Illinois where she creates curriculum for pre-K-8 and teach and lead STEM programs for pre-K-adults.

This year's sponsors include: Albro Land Corporation, Abt, Norcon, Inc., Pepper Construction, Rivers Casino, Comcast Business, Forum Extended Care Services, Sexton Complete Care, A-1 Mechanical Services, Inc., and Peterson Roofing, Inc.

Proceeds from the virtual event will benefit the children, families and life-changing programs of Maryville.