Kristin Park
Special for The Republic
Mar. 31, 2003 12:00 AM


Ask Maureen Karpinski about her volunteer work for the West Valley Child Crisis Center, and she'll tell you it's simply a way of life.

Karpinski, 56, of north Phoenix, devotes an average 40 hours per week to helping the center provide a safe haven for abused and neglected children.

At West Valley Child Crisis Center, children stay anywhere from a few days to several months while awaiting placement in foster care.

"Maureen does the work that would normally require 10 volunteers," said volunteer coordinator Kelly Mullock. "She's a very determined person. When she sets her sights on something, she doesn't stop until she succeeds."

Karpinski, a real-estate agent for 32 years, discovered the center while doing research for a client.

"My client wanted to find an organization where he could give directly to children in need," she said. "I went with him to check it out and quickly knew that I couldn't just leave and not do something."

Beginning that day three years ago, a love story has developed between the center and Karpinski's business, Cactus Country Properties. Creating the concept of "Love Houses," Karpinski and her team of 12 Realtors donate up to $500 of their commissions on each home sale. They scour garage sales and solicit businesses for used clothing.

People may not realize the difference a new outfit or pair of shoes can make to a child's self-esteem, Karpinski noted.

"When these kids put on new clothes, their little chests puff up," she said. "They come here feeling like they're excess baggage, but when they leave the center to go into foster care, they feel so much better about themselves."

West Valley Child Crisis Center can house up to 45 children at a time, about 1,000 per year. One of the goals of its volunteers is to make the children's lives easier and to show them they aren't alone.

Karpinski grew up in an abusive and neglectful home. Her grandmother, who lived in England, was able to reach out to her during small windows of time during her childhood. It was enough to make a complete difference in her life.

"The best part of my volunteering is knowing that I'm giving a child a purpose and making a positive im- pact in that moment," she said. "It's a privilege to be here."