August 2021
eConnect August 2021
Prospective Resident Spotlight
Allen Feldman is exceptional. He was diagnosed at birth with a rare chromosomal anomaly which resulted in an intellectual/developmental disability (IDD), but what makes him exceptional is how full his life is despite his diagnosis.
The 37-year-old Miami native attends the Miami Learning Experience (MLE) Shannon Center adult program on the days he doesn’t work at the Coral Gables Congregational Church and the Coral Gables Art Cinema. Allen participates in Special Olympics through the MLE program and is an active member of the Best Buddies Ambassador Program for young adults with IDD.
In August 2015, Allen and two of his long-time friends from MLE moved out of their family homes and into a private, independent supported living home in South Miami. Allen and his roommates have thrived and become more independent. Allen is now interested in the possibility of living in his own apartment at the Village of Casa Familia. 
pictured: Allen Feldman; Casa Familia, Inc. Second Vice President and Allen's Mom, Kathy Feldman; Casa Familia, Inc. Chair, Marc Plonskier
“I am looking forward to taking cooking lessons at the Village of Casa Familia so I can learn how to make my own dinner and invite friends over to my apartment for dinner,” says Allen. “I also want to do some volunteering in the community to help others.”
Message from Our Executive Director
"Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much."
As we approach our groundbreaking later this year, I am in awe of the passionate leaders and partners who are helping to bring the vision of the founding families to reality. I have the privilege of working closely with United Community Options (UCO) whose passion, experience and unique ability to bring services and programs to the Village of Casa Familia will be transformational for our future residents. I have also met the COO and Managing Director of Atlantic Pacific Communities. Their expertise in development and property management will add significant and sustainable value to our community as well as peace of mind to our families.
I look forward to continuing to work hand in hand with both UCO and Atlantic Pacific Communities to bring the first affordable housing community for individuals with IDD to Miami-Dade County.
All Jazzed Up About The Village of Casa Familia 
Casa Familia hosted an All Jazzed Up Luncheon at the Coral Reef Yacht Club in Coconut Grove on Tuesday, July 13th featuring jazz music by bass player Alex Perez. More than 60 friends attended the luncheon held in support of the development of the Village of Casa Familia.
Special Needs Advocate for Miami-Dade County, Susan Holtzman spoke on behalf of the Mayor Levine Cava. Executive Director of the Center for Autism and Related Disabilities, Dr. Michael Alessandri gave impassioned remarks about the South Florida IDD Community and said “This organization and their aspirations are driven by love, choice, inclusion and community.” 
Partner Spotlight United Cerebral Palsy Association of Miami, d/b/a United Community Options of Miami is honored to be in partnership with Casa Familia on the Village of Casa Familia.
In the 1980’s UCP/UCO was an instrumental partner with the state of Florida in their efforts to de-institutionalize individuals from Sunland centers. We opened a dozen group homes which afforded the residents a place in the community. 
In the 1990’s, expanding the boundaries of supporting people and “creating the future one person at a time”, UCP/UCO was one of the first providers of Supported Living services in Miami-Dade county.
"Our partnership with Casa Familia affords us the opportunity to bring our knowledge of residential services along with our belief system that all individuals should have an array of choices in all aspects of their lives," said Lorraine Mosteiro, Director of Supported Living, UCO. "To that end, we are excited to provide the staff and oversee the resident driven amenities at the Village of Casa Familia. The feedback we have received from potential residents and their families makes it clear that the Village of Casa Familia fills a needed void."
Why Do You Think It Is
Advisory Board Member Spotlight
Natasha Lowell considers herself very fortunate because she is blessed with many dear and close friends and family. Her friends and family feel they are the fortunate ones. Lowell is also a good friend and Advisory Board member of Casa Familia, Inc.
"I am certain Casa Familia would not be successful without Natasha Lowell," said First Vice President and friend of 42 years, Marie-Ilene Whitehurst. "She has worked tirelessly on our behalf." 
A Senior Vice President at First National Bank of South Miami in Private Banking, Lowell has more than 30 years of experience in the banking industry. She began her career with The Kislak Companies in commercial real estate lending and was a construction lender at First Union Bank. She was a Vice President at Gibraltar Bank in commercial real estate and the President of Federated National Company.
Lowell is a former board Chair of the College Assistance Program Inc. (CAP,Inc.) of the Miami Foundation. She has served on several boards including Take Stock for Children Miami, United Way Women’s Leadership Committee and Miami Bridge Youth and Family Service. Lowell has served as a Trustee of Florida International University since March 19, 2015.
For Lowell, these accomplishments pale in comparison to the rewards of her relationships with her precious friends and family. She and her husband of 36 years, John "Jack" Lowell, Jr. have five adult children and three grandchildren.
Casa Familia is seeking Champions to helps us reach our Give Miami Day goals by sharing our appeal on your social media pages beginning on November 15th. We will do all the work, all you need to do is share. Please contact us at info@casafamiliainc.org to become a Casa Familia Champion. Don't forget to follow us on social media to see how we are doing on Give Miami Day. We recognize our supporters and keep you in the loop on Give Miami Day and beyond.
Support Our Mission
In the critical year before the grand opening of the Village of Casa Familia in 2022, our greatest need is mission-building support. You can help make a lasting impact in your community. Your donation to Casa Familia will give adults with IDD the gift of affordable residential options and a pathway to independence. Ways to help:
Make Us Smile You can help Casa Familia every time you shop online by using AmazonSmile and asking your friends to do the same. AmazonPrime members enjoy all the same benefits on AmazonSmile and Amazon donates .5% of your qualifying purchases to Casa Familia.
PILLAR Trager Family Foundation
STEWARD
BUILDER The Family of H.R. Dunn Arencibia The Rainforth Foundation, Inc. Tom and Marie-Ilene Whitehurst
BENEFACTOR Sue and Fred Diamond Charitable Foundation The Miami Foundation Cecilia Montero
PATRON The Dunspaugh-Dalton Foundation, Inc. Vicki Kroviak and Steve Grieder The Rossel Family & Friends Jan and Bernie Silver Family The Ward Family
Carol and Gerald B. Cope, Jr. Carol Whitehurst Deeser The Feldman Family Dave Lawrence Jr./The Children’s Movement of Florida Lena Johnson and John Lowell MasTec Mrs. Edward N. Moylan Peacock Foundation Nestor J. Plana Jack & Maxine Wishart Charitable Trust/ 
Founders of the Village of Casa Familia are making a real impact in their own community and in the lives of some very exceptional people by helping to build the first affordable housing community in Miami-Dade County for adults with IDD.
Leave a lasting legacy by becoming a Founder of the Village of Casa Familia.
Casa Familia, Inc. Recognizes Our 
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