When meeting Malta House Residential Advisor Cynthia Diane McMillian, the first thing you’re likely to notice is her infectious smile - a friendly face for more than two decades for moms, babies, colleagues and visitors. 

Raised in Stamford, and known since childhood as “Diane,” she personally experienced how kindness can impact the life trajectory of a child. “I was adopted by this wonderful family who took care of me and my sister, and gave us a great childhood,” she says, “and I have three adopted siblings and four biological siblings.” 

Diane has a Bachelor's of Science degree in Child Study from Charter Oak State College, and has been in the education field for more than 30 years. She says she came to Malta House looking for a part-time job “working with children and families, and this was the perfect place.”

Why Malta House?

“I love that I can help families and children be the best that they can be,” says Diane. “And I really love my co-workers that I work with as well as the administrative staff.”

And there has been plenty of appreciation from moms. When Malta House was located in its original location on Prowitt Street in East Norwalk, Diane recalls taking care of a child whose mother had an evening job. The mom would bring Diane food when she returned from work. 

“I said that's ok, no worries,” Diane recalls, but the mom insisted, "’As much as you do for us, this is the least I can do to show how much I appreciate you.’"

“She left it on the table and said, ’Thanks for all your love and support and enjoy your meal on me.’ That really stuck with me and is one of my fondest memories.”

In her free time, Diane says she loves to read and write poetry - a pastime she has enjoyed since she was 12 years old. 

A fun fact about Diane: “I am a ‘MacGyver’ of sorts. This was a show I used to watch where he would take something from nothing and make it into something. If you say you can't, I say you can.”

Malta House is grateful for Diane’s can-do spirit through all these years!