At the top of my list are my family, friends and colleagues.  I am also thankful for hopefully seeing a light at the end of the COVID tunnel which has proved so challenging for all of us, personally, professionally, physically, mentally and emotionally.  

I am also thankful for: 

• Casa Familia, Inc. which brought me in as their first Executive Director for this amazing project!  The past nine months have flown by and I am enthusiastically looking forward to 2022. 
• Casa Familia’s hard-working members of the Board of Directors and Advisory Board who constantly step up to the plate when their assistance is needed.  Much of what has been accomplished is because of their tireless hard work and dedication.   
• All our community partners who have seen our vision and are helping to make it a reality. 
• And most especially, for all you who have supported Casa Familia over the years with your generous gifts.  We would not be where we are without you! 

Welcome to our New Board and Advisory Board Members

At our recent Annual Meeting, we welcomed two new members to our Board of Directors: 

• Brian McDonough is a Shareholder at Stearns Weaver in the Real Estate Department. He is a member of the Firm's Board of Directors as well as it's Executive Committee, and is the Chairperson of the Firm's Affordable Housing and Tax Credit Practice Group.
• Marsha Talianoff is the Executive Director of Major Gifts for the University of Miami School of Education and Human Development.  A champion of the School's vision-driven innovation, instructional programs, students' scholarships, and faculty projects, she was recognized as a pillar by Dean Emeritus Isaac Prilleltensky.

In addition, there are two new members of our Advisory Board:

• Beth Allen is a Vice President and Actuary with USI Consulting Group. She and her husband, Mike, the President of Barry University, have been enthusiastic supporters of Casa Familia since relocating to Florida in 2019. 
• Elena Bluntzer is a Real Estate Professional in Fisher Island and Miami and is a resident of both areas.  She has specialized in listings and sales of luxury waterfront properties in South Florida, specifically on Fisher Island, Miami, Miami Beach, Key Biscayne and Coral Gables, for over 36 years.

We congratulate and welcome these wonderful individuals to our family!

Congratulations and Thank You

CONGRATULATIONS to our recently elected officers for 2022!

• Chair - Marc Plonskier
• President - Karin Jawitz
• 1st Vice President - Marie-Ilene Whitehurst
• 2nd Vice President - Kathy Feldman
• Secretary - Dr Michael Alessandri
• Treasurer - Erbi Blanco-True

And THANK YOU to outgoing Board Secretary Lourdes Sanchez for her service!  

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:

Casa Familia, Inc. Recognizes Our
Village of Casa Familia Partners