Cafaro Foundation donates $25K to Villa Maria Teresa

The foundation has given more than $3.2 million to various causes.

STAFF REPORT

LIBERTY — A $25,000 gift from the Cafaro Foundation will help finance the renovation of Villa Maria Teresa, a school operated by the Oblate Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Over the past two years, the Cafaro Foundation has contributed $130,000 toward the Sister’s work in creating a nurturing educational environment for children of preschool and kindergarten age.

“Besides the work they do with the children, the Sisters do a lot of good in the community,” said Phyllis A. Cafaro, whose children all attended Villa Maria Teresa.

Physical renovation of the school has been completed, and the purchase of upgraded educational materials is under way.

Since April 2006, the Cafaro Foundation has contributed or pledged more than $3.2 million to a variety of causes. Educational institutions such as Youngstown State University, Wheeling Jesuit University and Ursuline High School have received major donations to their capital improvement campaigns.

The foundation has sought to improve health care through donations to the American Cancer Society, Cleveland Clinic and Easter Seals. Institutions working to improve the quality of life in the Mahoning Valley, such as the Youngstown-Warren Regional Chamber, the Diocese of Youngstown, Beatitude House, United Way, Second Harvest Food Bank and many others have received assistance from the foundation.

The foundation’s mission is rooted in the efforts of William M. Cafaro, founder of the real estate development and management company that bears his name. For more than a half-century, Cafaro and his wife, Alyce, supported churches, schools, hospitals and other charitable causes.

After his wife’s death in 1996, Cafaro formed the foundation to perpetuate her memory and the legacy of good works they shared. The foundation is now under the guidance of a second and third generation of the Cafaro family.