To help families with one of their greatest basic needs: clean water. Thousands of children fall victim to potentially fatal illnesses each year, that are entirely avoidable with clean water. CareLink also provides hygiene training along with water filters.

To help families that wish to achieve financial independence. These loans allow individuals to make and sell common essentials to customers in their communities.

Our Local Teams

We employ local teams of individuals in the countries we serve. These CareLink team members are fully-emmersed in the local culture and community so as to achieve maximum effectiveness within these unique environments.

The CareLink Board

Our members have a passion for serving, and they travel regularly to volunteer their time to assist our teams where they serve. Board members share their knowledge of business, banking, finance, water filtration, and public health.

Meet the Team

  • Jeffrey L. Hartman

    Naperville, Illinois

    Jeff is the President of the CareLink Foundation and serves on the board. A former business owner and entrepreneur, Jeff brings his passion for “Business as a Mission” to CareLink, and believes strongly that helping families start and operate small businesses is a pathway to long -term, sustainable, and transformational change in developing countries. Jeff lives in Naperville with his wife of 40 years, Katherine. Besides spending time with his kids and four grandchildren, Jeff enjoys world travel, golf,
    and boating.

  • Paul Tanzillo

    Naperville, Illinois

    Paul is an attorney and has been on the CareLink Board for several years. His law practice is dedicated to business and liquor licensing matters and litigation. Paul started his legal career as a Cook County Assistant State’s Attorney as a Trial Assistant. He is a graduate of Illinois Benedictine College and received his law degree from Chicago-Kent College. Paul lives in Naperville with his wife of 32 years, Heidi. He is very proud of, and enjoys spending time with his two adult sons and their families. Paul is also a certified high school and college football official, an avid golfer and enjoys traveling with his wife and friends.

  • James P. Kilgallon

    Plainfield, Illinois

    Jim is a Wealth Management Advisor at Fifth Third Bank - Private Bank and has worked in financial services for over twenty three years. He is working to manage and grow the microfinance initiatives of Carelink. Jim is passionate about working with the local Churches to strengthen the communities of Honduras. He lives in Plainfield with his wife of 27 years, Sarah, and their three boys. Jim enjoys spending time with family and friends, hiking, biking and fishing.

  • Jeffrey Hartman

    Naperville, Illinois

    Jeff has been engaged in philanthropy and the non-profit sector for over two decades. For more than twelve years, Jeff served in various executive roles with two of the largest community foundations in Illinois; culminating in him serving as President and CEO of a community foundation serving several counties in the Chicagoland area. During his time at the Foundation, Jeff and his team deployed philanthropic capital in support of sustainable, community projects. Jeff has a passion for “teaching people how to fish”, and believes this empowers individuals and families to better themselves and their communities for generations to come. Currently, Jeff owns Custom Cut Renovations, a general contracting company based in Naperville where he donates a portion of his revenue back to local non-profits. Jeff resides in Naperville with his wife, Erin, and their two daughters.

  • David J. Palkon

    Tinley Park, Illinois

    Dave has been serving on the board of the Carelink Foundation since early 2019. As an experienced freelance mechanical engineer with a heavy emphasis on consumer product development and water filtration technology, Dave can provide insight and new ideas for small businesses with an emphasis on technology and manufacturing. Dave was raised in South Holland and now lives in Tinley Park, Illinois with his wife and four children. Dave enjoys camping, hiking, kayaking, fishing and just about any other outdoor activity.

  • Dr. Timothy Wall, M.D

    March 23, 1952 - Nov. 18, 2018

    Tim was the founder of CareLink (2001) and President for many years. He was also the founder of Pediatric Health Associates, a large pediatric primary care office in Naperville, IL with five office locations in Suburban Chicago. Tim dedicated his life to serving others, particularly providing health care and other life-changing services to underserved children in Honduras. Tim’s passions included golf, spending time at his summer home near Lake Michigan, and enjoying his grandchildren. Tim’s spirit lives on in the mission of CareLink.

CareLink’s Honduran Team

Although CareLink is a US-Based non-profit organization, we are a certified Honduran NGO and employ a talented team of Hondurans to execute our “boots on the ground” strategy. This includes a team of three leaders and a group of 15 community helpers.

Josefina

(center), is the CareLink Country Director. Josefina has a college degree in Physical Engineering with a specialty on water filter solutions. She oversees our Honduran operations, manages our team, which includes 15 community service staff, and handles the oversight of our microfinance operations. In addition, Josefina is constantly scouting for new potential microfinance candidates.

 

Pastor Suyapa

(left), is an ordained minister and serves as CareLink’s spiritual leader.  She ensures that all of CareLink’s activities are spiritually-centered, and also manages the relationships with dozens of Honduran pastors - a critical component of CareLink’s network.  In addition, Pastor Suyapa provides spiritual support to the many families to whom CareLink has provided microfinance loans.

 

Rubi

(right) is a college-trained social worker and leads our efforts to provide social services support to the families we serve.  Rubi also supports our other CareLink activities, including training classes for water filter use and filter distribution logistics.