Mara Navaretta Gets VCLC Champion of Children & Families Award

Woodbury, NY; June, 19 2018 – Woodbury resident Mara Navaretta, Founder, Owner and President of Homes By Mara Realty in Syosset, NY, recently received the Champion of Children & Families Award from Variety Child Learning Center (VCLC) of Syosset during its annual Variety Night fundraising dinner at Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury, NY. Navaretta was chosen as this year's recipient by the VCLC Variety Night Committee for her commitment to making a difference in the lives of families and children in need. She was presented her award before over 325 guests during the event, which raised over $80,000 for educational programs, services and support that VCLC provides for children with disabilities and their families.

"To be selected as this year's Champion of Children and Families was such an amazing moment," says Navaretta. "However for me it wasn't about the award or public recognition but rather it symbolizes that the efforts I have made in my outreach for various community causes have made an impact for those I've set out to help. I hope my receipt of this award will inspire other local business men and women to get involved in supporting charities and causes within their communities. As local businesses I feel we share a responsibility to do our part in making a difference whenever and wherever we can."

Navaretta most recently held a clothing and gift card drive to help multiple families regain belongings that they lost from a four-alarm fire that destroyed their Woodbury homes. Other support initiatives that she has spearheaded for families and children in need include making regular contributions to Children's Brain Tumor Foundation (CBTF) and taking part in various events involving The Ashley Wade Foundation, including its Jake's Jammies pajama drive for children suffering chronic illness. She has also sponsored at her agency her own coat and toy drives, including one following Superstorm Sandy.

Like VCLC, which is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing services and high quality programs for young children with disabilities (over 50% of whom are on the autism spectrum) and their families, Navaretta's past history shares a similar path with that of VCLC. Prior to real estate she served the special needs community, working at Options for Community Living in Smithtown while studying at Stony Brook University where she spent her weekends supervising individuals with disabilities at group homes comprised of 12 residents to help them learn independent living and life skills. After graduating Stony Brook University with a Bachelor's of Science Degree, Navaretta continued working for Options for Community Living where she spent her days visiting with individuals with disabilities to help them adapt to their transition of going from group home to apartments comprised of three residents and their adjustment to an even more independent lifestyle.

"Variety Child Learning Center is so proud to have presented Mara Navaretta with its Champion of Children and Families Award," says Variety Child Learning Center CEO Janice Friedman. "Mara is a businesswoman who is not just about running her business but is equally committed lending a hand for those in need. She is a true champion in using her influence as a local business to help struggling children and families throughout Long Island."

Variety Child Learning Center CFO Andrea Rieger added, "It is our hope that other business men and women will follow her example in getting involved with charities and outreach initiatives that work with children and families in need so they too can make a difference as every little bit counts."

Also during the evening, Navaretta's efforts in supporting children and families in need earned her special Town Of Oyster Bay Congratulatory Citation from Town of Oyster Bay Councilwoman Rebecca Alesia along with Nassau County Congratulatory Citations from Nassau County 16th Legislator Arnold Drucker and Nassau County 18th District Legislator Joshua A. Lafazan.
The event attracted members of the business community who enjoyed a night out with the opportunity to network while making a difference for children with disabilities and supporting Navaretta as a remarkable, generous businesswoman who has made a footprint in making a difference in the lives of local families and children in need.

Established in 1966, Variety Child Learning Center is a 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit agency that offers an array of services and high quality programs for young children with learning, language and behavior challenges, including autism, and their families that focus on the educational, social-emotional and physical growth of the children, and home/school collaboration. VCLC, headquartered in Syosset and with a second site at the Geneva N. Gallow Elementary School in Levittown within the Island Trees School District, is a therapeutic environment where staff is dedicated to helping young children with disabilities become the best that they can be, and supporting and strengthening their families. For more information about VCLC, please call 516-921-7171 or visit https://vclc.org/.

Homes By Mara is a boutique real estate agency spearheaded by licensed broker and real estate veteran Mara Navaretta. Featuring a team of highly-skilled and trained agents, Homes By Mara specializes in servicing North Shore's residential market on both the selling and buying sectors. Located at 30 Berryhill Road in Syosset, NY, the agency offers convenience and a turn-key solution in accommodating all real estate needs by sharing its office space with the law firm, Navaretta & Howard LLP. Navaretta and Howard, LLP has a special focus in real estate law and provides counsel and representation for all Homes by Mara agents to assure the homeowner receives quick and accurate answers to legal questions that may arise in the course of today's real estate transaction. Also available is a concierge service that consists of recommendations for every trade associated with the real estate industry including movers and contractors. For more information about Homes By Mara, please call 516-364-2500 or visit www.homesbymara.com.
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• PHOTO CAPTION 1: Pictured at Variety Child Learning Center's Variety Night is Woodbury resident Mara Navaretta, President and Owner of Homes By Mara Realty (center), holding her Variety Child Learning Center's Champion of Children & Families Award alongside Variety Child Learning Center CEO Janice Friedman (left) and Variety Child Learning Center CFO Andrea Rieger (right).
• PHOTO CAPTION 2: Pictured at Variety Child Learning Center's Variety Night where Mara Navaretta of Woodbury, Owner and President of Homes By Mara Realty, was recognized as Variety Child Learning Center's Champion of Children & Families Honoree is Navaretta, (left at podium) as she is about to receive a special Town of Oyster Bay Congratulatory Citation from Town of Oyster Bay Councilwoman Rebecca Alesia (right) in honor of Navaretta's continued support of Town of Oyster Bay children and families in need.
• PHOTO CAPTION 3: Pictured at Variety Child Learning Center's (VCLC) Variety Night where Mara Navaretta, Owner and President of Homes By Mara Realty, received VCLC's Champion of Children & Families Award is John Navaretta, CEO of Homes By Mara Realty (left), and his wife Mara Navaretta (right), holding their special Town of Oyster Bay Congratulatory Citations received from Town of Oyster Bay Councilwoman Rebecca Alesia for both of their efforts in making a difference in the lives of Town of Oyster Bay children and families in need as they stand on either side of their 14-year-old daughter Sabrina (center), who holds flowers on her mother's behalf, all three of whom live in Woodbury.
• PHOTO CAPTION 4: Pictured at Variety Child Learning Center's (VCLC) Variety Night where Mara Navaretta of Woodbury, President and Owner of Homes By Mara Realty, received VCLC's Champion of Children & Families Award is Navaretta (second from left) being presented two Nassau County Congratulatory Citations from Nassau County 16th District Legislator Arnold Drucker (first from left) and Nassau County 18th District Legislator Joshua A. Lafazan (third from left) alongside Honorable Rhonda E. Fischer (fourth from left) in honor of Navaretta's continued support of Nassau County children and families in need.