Maria Ventullo:
"Well, during my junior and senior years at B.C., I worked part-time at the Challenge Program in Mattapan (one of your current placements, I believe), as a child-care counselor on the 3rd floor, 2nd shift. While I served on the council, it was also one of my placements. I remained there for another year while I completed the Graduate Program for Women in Politics & Government, formerly of B.C., now the Program for Women in Public Policy at U-Mass Boston. I still am a member of that Network. After that, I was hired to work for the newly formed Outreach & Tracking Program for DSS kids(Department of Social Services)at the Compass Program in Jamaica Plain, under the watchful guidance of the esteemed Dave Manzo. Although I loved my job, and gained incredible human service experience, law school beckoned. So I packed up my things and moved to Chicago. Great place. Great time. While at Loyola, I became involved in and subsequently became the president of the Public Interest Law Society. I advocated for mandatory pro bono as a means of allowing law students the opportunity to gain hands-on experience while serving a societal purpose (much like the PULSE philosophy). Needless to say, not everyone shared my viewpoint, but I still managed to get a few programs off the ground, open up a few eyes, expand the summer grant program (through which I was able to work at Greater Boston Legal Services my first year), and begin the fundraiser auction, of which I am told is a great success today. After law school, I began my own practice in Chicago, with a focus on domestic violence and family law, primarily for indigent women or primary caretakers. I moved back home (I'm originally from Somerville) in December, 1994, and subsequently began my own law practice here. It started out in my apartment and has since moved to Medford Square (22 High Street, Suite 3). I became certified to take court appointments for care & protection/state intervention (DSS) cases, in which I represent either the children or one of the parents, as well as CHINS (Children in Need of Services) cases. I work out of Somerville District Court. I also handle private cases, primarily in the areas of residential real estate, divorce, custody, guardianships, and (simple) wills. I absolutely love my work. I got married 10/13/96 to a wonderful guy I met in Chicago, who was kind enough to move to Boston for me. He is a Spanish teacher at the F.A. Day Middle School in Newton. We have two beautiful . . . cats, and we're very happy. That's about it." andylong@massmed.net

Laurie McCarty:
After graduation from B.C., I spent two incredible years teaching at COMPASS. I also worked as a live-in staff member at Longview Farm, another PULSE placement. Needless to say, I needed a break after awhile. I went to Ponce, Puerto Rico to teach fifth grade. It was a fantastic experience. From there, I went to graduate school in New Mexico. A master's degree just didn't seem like enough, so I stayed in school to complete a Ph.D. in bilingual special education. I am currently working at Buffalo State College as an Assistant Professor in the Exceptional Education Department. I married Steve Grupp, who I met in New Mexico, in August, 1998. He is working on his degree in physical therapy.
mccartll@buffalostate.edu

Sheila Campbell Corkhill:
After graduation I received my MSW at B.C.- GSSW and then moved to Phoenix to volunteer with the Jesuit Volunteer Corps at a domestic violence shelter. I returned to N.Y.C. to work at a women's volunteer organization and volunteered at a transitional housing program. I next spent a month in Honduras with the Franciscans and then earned my law degree at Seton Hall University School of Law. I also clerked for a judge, got married, moved to Boston and am now enjoying being home full time with our daughter! Thank you to PULSE and Council for such a wonderful foundation!