Milagros Vicente - Valley Stream Mom of the Month

Milagros Vicente

It makes my job much easier when you find an individual as involved and vocal about community issues as this month's Valley Stream Mom of the Month.  If you haven't heard of Milagros Vicente, you've been living under a rock.  Her name is synonymous with the "Save the 5th Precinct" movement, a community effort to stop the closure of Valley Stream's police precinct.  Recently, she began advocating against the closing of four police precincts and went around the community with her children collecting signatures, and organizing community meetings and rallies.  Approximately 7,500 signatures later, "Save The 5th Precinct" has turned into a movement to keep residents informed and involved.  Milagros is also coordinating non-partisan voter registration drives, and informing residents of community events, including a vigil in honor of the Trevon Martin tragedy.

Milagros has lived in Valley Stream for four years and has wasted absolutely no time getting involved.  She has three children, Arianna (5), Tony (15), and Rafael (23).  One of her most memorable mommy moments is when her eldest son took his first steps with his walker.   Like most moms, her children keep her busy with dancing, drawing, scooting, biking, wheelchair baseball, wheelchair basketball, and wheelchair boccia ball.

On the weekend, you are most likely to catch Milagros at home or at a community event.  Just like me, she was at the opening of the Dog Park without a dog.  Now that's community support! A few interesting facts about her is that she has great time management skills, loves to clothes swap (which is becoming the new "it" thing), and really loves sports especially NFL football.  What a woman!

Her favorite part about being a mom is when her children tell her unexpectedly that they love her, and seeing them laugh.  Tear.  Her neighbors are her favorite part about living in Valley Stream as they look out for one another.  That's important especially with the closing of our precincts. 

When asked what one thing she would change about Valley Stream she says, "I would lower the fees the village has for North Valley Stream residents.  Our fees should not be as high as other non-Valley Stream residents.  Lowering North Valley Stream fees would encourage North Valley Stream residents to be more inclusive and supportive of the Village's initiatives."

Lastly, the advice she would give to mom's living in Valley Stream is to never let being a mom get in the way of what you want to do.  At the end of the day, your children will respect you more and learn from you.  Always raise your children with God in their heart.

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VS Mom of the Month - Maria Cunningham-Johnson

November was one busy month and December is looking just about the same.  So busy that I am just now getting around to introducing the ValleyStreamMom.com Mom of the Month.  I truly apologize but that's life.

Maria Johnson, a Supervising Public Health School Nurse by day and Independent Avon Representative by night, has lived in Valley Stream for just over 15 years with her husband and two children.  Her eldest daughter, 14, attends South High School where she is or has been active in the school newspaper, Falcon Report, National Junior Honor Society, and Sparkle Empowerment Program for Girls to name a few.  Her son, 10, attendS Buck Elementary School where he is part of the Peer Mediation Group and participated in the Lung Asthma Walk.

On any given weekend, you may find Maria and the family at a Shooting Stars or P.A.L. basketball game/practice, Green Hornets Football game, or at Greater Allen Cathedral Church dancing, acting, or as junior ushers.
Her proudest moments as a mother are extremely hard to pick she says.  But if she has to choose, she would say that her children accepting Christ as their personal saviour is right on top right next to watching them use their talents doing what they enjoy.  Maria enjoys decorating, planning events, is an active member of the PTA, and considers herself a very protective mom.  She's not alone.

Maria's favorite part about living in Valley Stream is a safe environment, small class sizes in the elementary schools, and the proximity to NYC.  One thing she would change about Valley Stream is the lack of diversity of the public school staff.  She sees that VS is becoming more diverse and feels it is important that students see that in their teaching staff.  A community with more outlets and activities for teenagers to serve the teens and young adults of the communities.

The advice she wants to give you is to bond with other parents, network, and share what works or hasn't worked for you.  "Just remember, it takes a village to raise healthy, well rounded educated children."

Maria recently started the Facebook group, Parent Educational Network: Sowing Seeds Into Our Investments, which currently has 121 members.

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Kathleen Kennedy-Leon - VS Mom of the Month

Kathleen Kennedy-Leon

Every month, I am amazed at the type of women I encounter while out and about in the various events in the community.  Last month, I was contacted by a mom who was spreading awarness for her 17 year old daughter Kaitlyn who was working hard on an adoption awareness event hoping to receive the highest honor ever bestowed upon a Girl Scout, the Gold Award.  Not only was I impressed by both of her daughters, one of whom was reluctant to allow me to take her photo for the blog because I was a stranger and she didn’t know me, but I was also impressed at how energized mom was to support the efforts of her children to strive for higher goals.  Those are definite signs of good parenting.

Kathleen Kennedy-Leon, moved to Valley Stream eight years ago after living in the neighboring village of Hewlett.  She loved that Valley Stream is a working class community and the diversity that is reflected here is that of the real world.  Diversity is also reflected in her home as she is also the mother of a 3 year old son, Sean Eddie, and is the adoptive mother of Kristen, 11, from China.  One her numerous proud moments as a mother is when her daughters used their own money to fund a micro loan Kiva.org to help a single mom and her two girls buy two cows and two goats in a third world country.

Kennedy & Family

On most weekends, you will find Kathleen at either Saf-t-Swim, birthday or family parties, on the softball field, and church.  Whew, that’s a lot!  Wait, that sounds like my weekends.  A few interesting facts about her is that she met her husband while they were both singing Karaoke.  She went back to school to get a Bachelor’s degree when her eldest was just 18 months old and then studied for her Masters of Science soon after the adoption of her daughter at 9 months old.  How did she do it?  Just like your phone carrier’s plan anytime, anywhere, nights and weekends. 

In addition to being the mother of three children, her greatest personal accomplishments are owning two businesses. One is a consulting business which provides imaging centers / private practices with necessary documentation and testing of equipment required to meet State / City Department of Health Bureau of Radiation Safety regulations. Kennedy is also a consultant for the Trump Network. She has just created two websites to promote the products as well as the business.  She is happy to be a .com and .net.  Check her out at  www.idealcustomhealth.com.

If she had more time for herself, you would see her at the gym and the spa.  Isn’t that everyone’s wish?  Especially the spa.  That’s definitely my wish.  Another wish is to award these awesome moms of the month a trip to the spa for.  Planting a seed people, planting a seed.

Similar to what last month’s Valley Stream Mom of the Month stated, Kennedy would love to see a community center similar to Rockville Centre’s facility built/opened right here in Valley Stream to keep kids busy close to home.  Her advice to moms everywhere is to keep your kids busy in activities, sports, and scouting.  Know their friends and be involved in their education.  We have a great school district with many wonderful teacher, however as a parent you need to be on top of what they are doing.  Get involved in the PTA/PTSA or your parish so you know what's going on.  

Well said.  What do you think?

*If you would like to be nominated or nominate someone for Valley Stream Mom of the Month, please submit a photo of yourself and/or of your family. Photos will be used on www.ValleyStreamMom.com and may be used for future advertising and promotions. All finalists will be invited to attend the ValleyStreammom.com Mom of the Month luncheon/dinner where the Valley Stream Mom of the Year will be selected.

VS Mom of the Month: Angelina Alvarez-Davis



Alvarez (far right) show here at Shootout Cancer event

 Earlier this summer, I attended the Shootout Cancer, Inc. fundraiser in Hendrickson Park with my family. I briefly met Angelina Alvarez-Davie, a wonderful woman who has lived in Valley Stream for 10 years. She is a mother of one 10 year old son, Aaron who attends Carbonaro Elementary School. After leaving the fundraiser, I went home and eventually read the brochure that was distributed at the event. I read that Angelina developed brain cancer at a time when her son was just four years old.

A few interesting facts about Angelina is that she has not eaten red meat or pork for health reasons in 21 years, has many food allergies, and has combated most ailments through diet changes. Now that’s discipline. She has also worked with Head Start for 23 years as an Education Site Director. In her spare time, she enjoys dancing, and creating favors for special occasions. Her favorite part about being a mom is watching and participating in Aaron’s growth. She says that God has blessed her with a second chance to enjoy life with her family.

Her favorite part about living in Valley Stream is loving the diversity reflected in the community. What she would love to see built is a community center for children and families to use. She even has a name for it which is Valley Stream Community Center (VSCC). Last year her son drew an award winning image of what he thinks the community center should look like which was displayed in Envision Valley Stream’s Art in the Park this past summer. You can also see his and six fellow artists talents displayed on the Carbonaro school fence on Mill Road.

If she had more time, she would vacation more and enjoy spa treatments. Her advice for moms is to stay involved in your child’s life, especially their education. Active in her son’s PTA, she says as parents “We are our children’s 1st teacher so our job is ongoing throughout their lives.” She and her husband live by the motto, “It takes a village to raise a child” because in our communities we’re in this together.

Brian and Angelina Alvarez-Davis are the founders of Shootout Cancer, Inc. a sports oriented nonprofit organization deeply committed to raising funds to assist those stricken with cancer. The organization is dedicated to facilitating a custom made plan for the individual and their family while battling this widespread disease. The goal is to prepare them for the road ahead by providing necessary resources needed to alleviate stress, ultimately resulting in a full recovery.

To make a donation or to learn more about the organization, please call (646) 623-2601 or email shootoutcancer@hotmail.com.

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Valley Stream Mom of the Month - Ronni Fare

She is the mother of three beautiful children, Samantha (18), Jessica (15), and Andrew (13) who all attended or are currently attending Wheeler, Memorial Jr. High, Central High School, and Nassau Community College. When you meet her, the first thing one thinks is that there is no way she has three teenagers with one in college! Her personality is upbeat and you can tell she enjoys living life to the fullest. Oh, let’s not forget that she is the First Lady of Valley Stream and married to Mayor Ed Fare.

Ronni Fare has lived in Valley Stream for 34 years and is currently a receptionist for Weight Watchers. Many of you may have met her at a dance recital or on the soccer, baseball, or soft ball field or at wrestling matches, or in the theater as she has some extremely active kids. Her proudest moment of being a mom is when her children exceed her expectations.

L to R: Samantha, Jessica, Mayor Fare, Andrew and Ronni

When she isn’t being a mom, (but really when does that ever happen?), she enjoys reading, enjoying the beach, pool, or relaxing at home watching movies with her family. When asked what her hidden talents were, she left that area blank but this MomPreneur is also a hairdresser and regularly cuts hair. Her favorite part about being a mom is that her children share everything with her.

Her advice to mom’s living in Valley Stream is to take advantage of everything that the community has to offer.

*If you would like to be nominated or nominate someone for Valley Stream Mom of the Month, please submit a photo of yourself and/or of your family.  Photos will be used on www.ValleyStreamMom.com and may be used for future advertising and promotions.  All finalists will be invited to attend the ValleyStreammom.com Mom of the Month luncheon/dinner where the Valley Stream Mom of the Year will be selected.