New room at Variety Child Learning Center dedicated in memory of Judge John G. Marks

Variety Child Learning Center (VCLC), a Syosset-based nonprofit organization committed to the development, education, and inclusion of children with differing abilities, recently held a ribbon-cutting event to formally dedicate its new FUNctional Life Skills Room in honor of the late Judge John G. Marks at VCLC’s Gallow campus in Levittown.

Judge Marks, a Hicksville resident and longtime supporter of VCLC, passed away on April 24, 2024 at age 82. He served as a district court and family court judge and was exceptionally passionate about VCLC’s mission, according to his daughter Jillian, who works at VCLC as an education coordinator.

The FUNctional Life Skills Room, which was made possible by a generous donation from the Marks family, is a dedicated space where students are taught everyday tasks to instill living skills that will help them become more independent. The new room is a safe and comfortable space with several stations where students ages three to eight learn to develop household skills such as washing dishes, sorting laundry, folding and putting away clothes, tidying up, making a bed and setting the table for a meal. The room also has a separate area for practicing independent dressing and daily hygiene routines.

The Marks family was joined by Judge Marks’ longtime friend and colleague, New York State Supreme Court Judge Gregg Roth, along with VCLC administrators and staff.

For more information about VCLC and the scope of services or to support its mission, please visit www.varietyclc.org.