A Message From Executive Director Julie Alberti

Dear Friends,

Thank you for being with us last night.

I’ve been at a loss for words since leaving St. George’s, which, if you know me, is saying something. Last night was that powerful, and that moving.

A special thank you to the veterans, volunteers, and graduates who brought their incredible dogs. To our veterans especially, thank you for your service. Watching those teams work together reminded every person in that room why this mission exists and how much it matters.

Retired US Army Command Sergeant Major Gretchen Evans moved every single person in that room last night. She spoke with a courage and honesty that you rarely witness, and her story was as personal as it gets. She reminded us what service really looks like, what sacrifice costs, and what the right support at the right moment can mean to someone’s entire life.

That is the heart of everything we do at the Strata Foundation, and last night made clear just how much more there is to do together.

As Joe Campolo announced, every dollar raised through our foundation this year will go directly to the capital campaign for the new America’s VetDogs and Guide Dog Foundation headquarters and puppy raising facility in Smithtown. This is a rare and meaningful opportunity to help build something lasting, right here in our own backyard, that will serve veterans and first responders for generations to come. The Strata Foundation is committed to making a significant contribution to this legacy project, and every dollar entrusted to us this year brings us closer to that goal.

We would love nothing more than to have you with us on June 1st at St. George’s for our Golf Outing. If golf isn’t your game, come for the reception and be part of the energy of the day. And if you aren’t able to join us in person, I would love to connect with you personally about how you can be part of this work. Please don’t hesitate to reach out directly. This is too important a moment to sit on the sidelines.

These men and women served for all of us. Now it’s our turn.

With deep gratitude,

Julie Alberti

The Strata Foundation’s mission is to bring the Long Island business community together to support local veterans during life’s most challenging moments.

Recently, a member of our community referred a Navy veteran to us for help. Her utilities were about to be shut off during the cold winter months, and she feared her children would be left without heat. She had already reached out to other organizations and had been denied assistance at least twice. With nowhere else to turn, she reached out to our partners at Family Service League and we connected.

Within days, we mobilized our network. In less than a week, her application for Suffolk County Veterans Emergency Home Heating Program assistance was approved, and the county paid her heating bill in full.

After speaking with her and learning more about her family’s needs, we connected two additional organizations—one to provide support for her children, and another to help her access veteran benefits she did not know were available to her.

Our partners across the community answered the call. We worked the network, and together we delivered results.

Veterans served this country. They deserve a system that works for them when they return home. On Long Island, we are building that system—one family at a time. This week, we proved it works.

Every dollar we raise helps ensure we can answer the next call.

This morning was truly special. The Strata Foundation with the combined effort of our partners, Campolo, Middleton & McCormick, LLP, Strata Alliance, and Sasserath & Co., came together at the Stony Brook Veterans Home to serve breakfast and share time with the veterans who have given so much to our nation.

Between smiles, handshakes, and heartfelt conversations, we heard stories that reminded us of the strength, courage, and humanity behind every uniform. One veteran in particular moved us with his story about how music has guided him since the age of five. With pride in his eyes, he invited us to his upcoming performance, where he’ll be playing the saxophone alongside other talented veterans.

Julie Alberti, Strata Foundation Executive Director, remarked, “Moments like this are exactly why I do what I do. Leading this outreach through the Strata Foundation was a privilege, and I’m incredibly grateful to our partners and team for showing up with open hearts. Our veterans deserve more than just our thanks — they deserve our time, attention, and continued support.”

We left feeling inspired and deeply grateful, and we look forward to returning to support them again.

This Thanksgiving, Executive Director Julie Alberti got to deliver a little community magic as the Strata Foundation supported a wonderful veteran family. We provided them with grocery gift cards, essentials, and when their oven quit on them, we teamed up with St. George’s Golf and Country Club to make sure they had a Thanksgiving feast.

I’m so grateful for our generous donors and partners who help us turn challenges into heartfelt moments. Wishing everyone a warm, gratitude-filled Thanksgiving!

Dear Valued Donors and Supporters,

As we continue to grow and evolve our mission of service and community impact, I’m excited to share an important update about our organization’s future.

Effective immediately, CMM Cares is officially becoming the Strata Foundation, aligning our charitable foundation with our family office name and creating a unified identity that better reflects who we are and where we’re headed.

This isn’t just a name change – it’s a symbol of our commitment to building something stronger, more integrated, and more impactful. Just as geological strata represent layers of foundation built over time, we’re building upon the solid groundwork you’ve helped us establish to create an even more robust platform for giving and community support.

Our mission remains unchanged: to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those who need it most. Our values remain the same. Your partnership and support continue to be the cornerstone of everything we do. The only thing that’s changing is our name, which now proudly reflects the Strata family legacy of service and stewardship.

And yes, our timing couldn’t be more perfect – our adorable mascot Strata the puppy is already leading the way! It seems he knew what he was doing when he chose that name. 🐾

All future communications, donation processing, and foundation activities will operate under the Strata Foundation name. We’ll be updating our materials and systems over the coming weeks, but please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions during this transition.

Thank you for your continued trust, partnership, and belief in our mission. Together, we’re building something that will create positive change for generations to come.

With deep appreciation and excitement for what’s ahead,

Julie Alberti
Executive Director, Strata Cares Foundation
(Formerly CMM Cares)

P.S. – Strata the puppy sends his tail wags and approval of the name alignment! We’ll continue sharing his training updates as he represents our foundation values in the most adorable way possible.

A Message from Executive Director Julie Alberti

The most adorable news has arrived in my inbox today – literally!  And what perfect timing! Just as many of you were sending your little ones off to their first day of school this morning, our newest team member is beginning his own journey. 

At our annual charity golf outing we sponsored an America’s VetDogs‘ puppy and named him after our multi-office firm, Strata Alliance. Well, meet Strata – our official mascot and quite possibly the cutest member of our organization.

Just look at those eyes! Those ears! That little yellow vest that says he means business! This handsome black lab is getting the best education money can buy – he’s currently being puppy raised and trained through the America’s VetDogs Prison Puppy Program at Maine State Prison. I guess you could say he’s learning discipline the hard way! 

As we prepare to launch our social media campaign to rebrand CMM Cares as The Strata Foundation in the coming weeks, it feels perfect that our namesake has arrived to cheer us on. Strata will be training to become someone’s service dog – learning, growing, and developing the skills to change a life forever.

Sound familiar?

Just like our puppy, we’re on our own journey of growth and learning as we expand our mission to help those in need. And just like Strata will one day provide life-changing support to someone who needs it, we’re committed to making a real difference in our community.

Here’s to big things, big wins, and being wrapped in enough cuteness to power us through whatever challenges come our way.

Julie Alberti
Executive Director

We’re thrilled to announce the completion of another impactful CMM Cares support plan! This project transformed the home of Suzanne, a Suffolk County woman who has been battling scleroderma, a rare autoimmune disorder, for over 20 years. An extraordinary mother and friend, Suzanne gives back to her community through her work at a local nonprofit.

Scleroderma causes an overproduction of collagen that builds up on joints and bones, severely limiting movement and often requiring multiple surgeries. Suzanne has undergone numerous procedures on her hips, wrists, knees, and other major joints, and she has been hospitalized two to three times each year. Simple tasks like entering her home or bathing independently have become impossible, threatening her safety and independence.

Through the nomination of a close friend, Suzanne was introduced to CMM Cares. Partnering with our friends at Condos Brothers Construction, we developed and executed a support plan that replaced her front porch steps with a handicap-accessible walkway, widened her front door to accommodate mobility needs, and renovated her bathroom with a zero-entry shower for safe, easy use.

This project embodies the CMM Cares mission of providing life-changing assistance to Long Islanders in need. By creating a safe and accessible home, Suzanne can now focus on her health and well-being without the daily challenges of an unsuitable living space. Her courage and determination inspire us, and we are honored to have been part of her journey.

“This project was about so much more than ramps and doorways, it was about restoring her independence and making everyday life safer and easier. Suzanne’s strength and positivity throughout her journey are inspiring, and we’re grateful to have played a role in giving her the freedom and comfort she deserves,” remarked CMM Cares Executive Director Julie Alberti.

At CMM Cares, we believe in the power of community and the strength of the human spirit—and few families embody that better than the Neikens.

We first met the Neikens family in 2021, when—with the support of our incredible donors and partners—we helped transform their backyard into a peaceful retreat. The space now includes a shaded patio, wheelchair-accessible ramp, and soothing jacuzzi to support Casey’s ongoing care and quality of life as he lives with the skin condition Epidermolysis Bullosa. Through every challenge, the Neikens have shown unwavering strength, compassion, and hope. Today, we’re proud to celebrate a new chapter full of resilience, joy, and milestones.

This summer, their beloved black lab, Mercy, is back on her paws after undergoing cranial cruciate ligament surgery. With the support of CMM Cares, the Animal Surgical Center in Oceanside, and the Neikens family’s own fundraising efforts, Mercy has made a full recovery—once again her playful, loving self.

But the biggest celebration? Casey’s high school graduation. Just days before walking the stage, Casey attended prom while recovering from reconstructive hand surgery. His determination and grit inspired us all—and served as a powerful reminder of what it means to rise above and be the hero of your own story.

Now reunited for the summer, Casey and Mercy are making the most of their time together—happy, growing, and living fully. Casey continues to pursue his passion in a two-year culinary program, and the entire family remains active in giving back through their work with America’s Guide Dog Foundation, fostering service puppies in training.

“The Neikens family shows us what resilience looks like in real life,” said Julie Alberti, Executive Director of CMM Cares. “Watching Casey thrive, and seeing the bond he shares with Mercy, brings such joy to all of us. Their story is a testament to the impact of community support—and the beauty of second chances.”

We’re honored to walk alongside the Neikens on their journey. From surgeries and setbacks to proms and puppies, theirs is a story of strength—and we can’t wait to see what Casey cooks up next.

CMM Cares’ 15th annual charity golf outing teed off with dual purposes: partnering with America’s VetDogs and honoring the late Suffolk homicide detective and Wyandanch volunteer fireman, Jack Miller. America’s VetDogs specializes in placing highly skilled service and guide dogs with individuals who have physical injuries, PTSD, hearing and vision loss, and seizures. “We’re here for something much bigger than golf,” CMM Cares Director Julie Alberti told the crowd, dedicating the day to Detective Miller, father of America’s VetDogs CEO John Miller.

A North Babylon Fire Department color guard and a Suffolk County Police bagpiper carried the flag to the first tee. Then, one of VetDogs’ own led the National Anthem, followed by remarks from Julie Alberti, John Miller, and Joe Campolo, Strata Alliance CEO and Chairman of the Board for CMM Cares. The golfers then enjoyed a day on St. George’s golf course, known for its firm fairways, numerous bunkers, and captivating green complexes. Mid-round, golfers met smiling VetDogs teams, witnessing firsthand the companionship that has already changed more than 1,100 lives nationwide—and will change even more when the organization’s campus expansion boosts capacity by 25 percent.

By the late afternoon, scorecards were tallied, and guests enjoyed a cocktail reception at the clubhouse. Joe Campolo presented John Miller with a plaque honoring his father. “My dad loved nothing more than helping cops and firemen,” Miller said, adding that VetDogs relies entirely on gifts like those donated on Monday.

Campolo announced that the outing’s generosity would fund and name two puppies-in-training—Strata, honoring the Strata Alliance family-office network; and Georgie, honoring the host club. With each dog costing upward of $50,000 to raise and train, those gifts represent two veterans’ futures infused with independence and hope.

Trainers demonstrated PTSD-response and mobility tasks—doors opened with a gentle tug, medicine retrieved on command—drawing hushed admiration. Glasses were raised to Detective Jack Miller, to Strata and Georgie’s future handlers, and to everyone whose contributions that day will now echo in the lives of veterans and first responders who will never again have to fight their battles alone.