About Us
The Malverne Afterschool Center, MAC, was established in 1986 in collaboration with the Malverne Union Free School District to provide safe and affordable child care for the children of working parents residing in the District.
MAC is a private, non-profit organization that provides care for school-aged children in the community of the Malverne Union Free School District, serving the communities of Malverne, Lakeview, and Lynbrook. We have expanded from offering morning and afterschool programs to include a Universal Pre-K program Nottingham Academy, and a summer camp Summer Explorers.
MAC operates in full compliance with the applicable statutes and regulations of the New York State Office of the Children and Family Services (NYSOCFS) which is rigorously renewed every year by meeting all licensing requirements for building, safety, health and infection, nutrition, supervision of children, staff training, management, and administration.
MAC’s Mission
We are committed to our children’s sound social, intellectual, and emotional growth by consistently providing them with a safe, reliable, and nurturing educational and recreational environment and in the process give our parents the opportunity to get involved in their children’s personal and academic growth as they are enrolled in our program.
M.A.C. Board Of Directors
Elizabeth
Elizabeth S, Ed.D., is an educational practitioner with over twenty years of experience teaching, designing curriculum and mentoring teachers in a range of sectors (public, private, international, local, lower to upper grades). She completed her doctorate in Teaching, Learning, and Teacher Education at the University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education, and received her MAT in Political Science. Elizabeth is a published author of texts on facilitating discussion and culturally sustaining pedagogical practices. She is currently a full-time department chair, classroom teacher and researcher. In her spare time, Elizabeth enjoys gardening, crafting and baking with her two kids.
liliana
Liliana Polo-McKenna, Ed.L.D. has been a MAC parent since 2016. Liliana is currently a Technical Advisor with FHI 360 and Owner & Lead Consultant/Executive Coach of Leading from Within, a boutique consulting firm that partners with school, district and system leaders to design and facilitate professional learning. Liliana is a former NYC HS teacher, HS principal, and nonprofit executive. Her most important role is mom to Luna and stepmom to Matthew. She loves to read, participate in community events, and ride her Peloton. Liliana's commitment to MAC is grounded in ensuring families across our community can always access affordable and high quality enrichment programs.
Curtis leone
Curtis Leone is a seasoned professional with extensive experience in technology, payroll, and human resources, specializing in sales and service. He is known for his strategic thinking, innovative approach and dedication to service delivering meaningful impact. His hobbies include home renovation and supporting his wife's home organizing business.
He is the proud father of two beautiful girls both enrolled in the Malverne School District, and husband to wife Victoria, an up and coming business owner based in Lynbrook.
Stefan
I am school counselor in the day and afternoon I am the Director of the Malverne Afterschool Center. I was just honored by the DOE for recognition of being a great counselor.
Free time I love to watch my sons play soccer. It is a joy to see them excel in a sport that I never played. I am also into technology. So I love to tinker and fix things. I also like to purchase new gadgets.
In a nutshell, I love to help people. As I get wiser, I realize that is so important to have people in this world that care about people and their will being. Especially at MAC, you have so many people that need your guidance and understanding from the kids, staff, and parents.
Kara
Kara Sowerby-Facey is an Instructional Coach and a member of her school's leadership team at Amber Charter School. Born and raised in New York to a family of educators, she has always had a passion for working with children. She began her teaching career 2006 in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn, where she served as a classroom and technology teacher.
Throughout her career, she has dedicated her summers to serving families as a Summer Camp Director at Oasis Children Services, working with communities in Queens and Long Island. She was also the founding director of Oasis Children Services’ Saturday Academy in Roosevelt, NY.
Outside of work, she cherishes time with her family and friends. Her greatest accomplishment is being a mother to her two daughters, who keep her busy and fulfilled. She also serves on the AV team at her church. She has roots in Barbados and Antigua and loves visiting both islands and embracing her Caribbean heritage.
liliana
My name is Eunice Cruz, and I have over 20 years of experience supporting children and families from diverse backgrounds. I began my career providing bilingual psychosocial services in pediatric healthcare settings and later spent 10 years at Room to Grow, most recently as a Senior Manager on the clinical team.
As an immigrant from the Dominican Republic, I understand the challenges faced by newly arrived families and remain committed to advocacy. I currently serve as Senior Supervisor for the Social Services team at KIND, supporting unaccompanied migrant children, and was honored in 2022 for my work mentoring young Latina students.
I hold degrees in Psychology and Social Work and enjoy traveling with my family and visiting MLB stadiums.
Johann
Johann DeJesus is a nonprofit executive and leadership coach with over 25 years of experience in New York City’s nonprofit sector. Known as a “program fixer,” she specializes in strengthening operations, developing managers, and helping organizations stabilize and scale. She has managed multimillion-dollar portfolios, led large teams, and ensured compliance across complex funding streams.
Johann served as executive director of La Peninsula Community Organization (2018–2023), overseeing an $8.3M Head Start program and more than 100 staff. She was also senior vice president at SoBro, managing a $14M portfolio of workforce, education, and economic development programs. Throughout her career, she has held senior leadership roles focused on operational excellence and program quality.
She holds a Master of Science in Human Services Leadership from St. Joseph’s College and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the College of New Rochelle. A National Urban Fellow, she has completed executive training at Columbia University and Baruch College and was named a Bronx Powerlist honoree.
Johann lives in Ozone Park, New York, with her family.
Trena Miller
Trena Miller is the Head of Account Management at the New York City Comptroller’s Office, where she leads a team to enhance financial operations for New York City pension funds. She is passionate about reading and finds inspiration learning from her children and young minds around her. She is committed to fostering financial accountability and empowering future leaders for the M.A.C. Program.
The Malverne Afterschool Center, MAC was established in 1986 in cooperation with the Malverne School District to provide safe and affordable child care for the children of working parents residing in the district.
MAC has worked with many charities throughout the years by giving back to the less fortunate and other community organizations in need. We have completed numerous Thanksgiving Drives to various organizations, Letters to the troops during the holidays, Recycling programs, Toys for tots, donated to Town of Hempstead animal shelter, volunteered in Malverne street fairs, Holiday caroling, Valentines for Veterans, Cards for cops, Pennies for Patients, Soda Tabs for Ronald McDonald House, Macy’s Letters to Santa for Make A Wish foundation, etc
Start the adventure today.
