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Our Vision

Our vision is to empower individuals on the autism spectrum and their families by fostering a supportive and inclusive community. We are dedicated to promoting understanding, acceptance, and personal growth through education, resources, and meaningful connections. By celebrating each unique journey, we aim to create a world where every person feels valued and inspired to thrive, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to shine.

Our Team

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Christine Faressa

President & Chairman of the Board

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Christine Faressa is the founder of Sun, Moon & Stars (SMS), a nonprofit she co-founded in 2016 to support families with children on the autism spectrum. What began as a Supper Club grew into a wide range of programs, including support groups, adaptive sports, holiday events, and an adaptive swim program. Driven by her son Domenic's autism diagnosis, Christine has helped enhance the lives of countless families, raising funds and creating inclusive community connections. She serves on several boards, including the Watertown Board of Education and EdAdvance, and has been nominated to the Connecticut Autism Spectrum Disorder Advisory Council. With a background in medical sales and nonprofit management, Christine is committed to fostering collaboration and inclusion for autism families.

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Mark Faressa co-founded Sun, Moon & Stars with his wife, Christine, and is an incredible part of its support system. He holds a bachelor’s degree in management and has an extensive background in purchasing and inventory management. Mark currently works for Swift Middle School while running a successful direct sales business. 

Mark Faressa 
Vice-President

Abbi Nori Nelson is a long-time friend of the Faressa family and has been an ardent supporter of Sun, Moon & Stars in this capacity since inception. She has a bachelor’s degree in communications. Abbi is a photographer and video producer with 20+ years of experience working at Fortune 500 companies in marketing leadership roles.

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Abbi Nori Nelson 
Marketing Chair

Lori Bonaldi, with over 40 years of experience, has been an Emeritus Principal at Edwards Ingram since 2020. She has served on several local boards, including the Watertown Foundation and Litchfield Bank, and is a founding member of the Friends of the Watertown Public Library. Now semi-retired, Lori resides in Middlebury and enjoys boating and relaxation. 

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Lori Bonaldi, CPA
Treasurer

A Faressa family friend for decades, Christine Miller brings to Sun, Moon & Stars more than 25 years of teaching and educational leadership experience. She has earned multiple honors, certifications, and degrees including a sixth-year degree in educational leadership, a masters’ of science, reading and language arts, and 2016 Teacher of the Year.

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Christine J. Miller
Secretary

Stacey has been a friend of the Faressa family for many years and a supporter of Sun, Moon & Stars since day one. She is a special education teacher,  and has been teaching pre-k children with a variety of disabilities for the past 27 years. Stacey has a master's degree in Early Childhood Special Education and was named Teacher of the Year in 2015.

Stacey Salvietti 
Board Member

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Chloe Taylor Langer is a proud member and supporter of Sun, Moon & Stars, joining in 2016 with her husband and two young sons, particularly for the endless support and opportunities it offers her son with autism. She is an attorney in Woodbury, CT, specializing in estate planning, probate, and real estate law.

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Chloe Taylor Langer 
Board Member

Sarah Jacovino's journey with the Sun, Moon & Stars community began as an instructor for the Starfish Swim Club over five years ago. With a degree in graphic design and a minor in marketing, Sarah brings a creative flair and strategic mindset to her role. Her goal is to merge her design background with her commitment to supporting the autism community.

Sarah Jacovino
Marketing Liaison

Katherine's daughter was diagnosed with autism and apraxia at 18 months. Through Sun, Moon & Stars, she found support, giving her family a sense of purpose and belonging. Originally from Colombia, Katherine is a CT Parole Officer and has lived in Watertown with her two daughters since 2006.

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Katherine Montoya
Bilingual Ambassador

Christina is a Spanish and art teacher, as well as an environmental educator at Flanders Nature Center. As a founding member of Dylan’s Wings of Change at City Hill Middle School, she advocated for children with diverse needs. Christina holds a BA in illustration from SHU and a Masters in Multiple Intelligences from USJ. She enjoys art, gardening, and hiking with her family and dog.

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Christina Rinaldi - Tata
Artist-in-Residence

Ambassadors

Ambassadors Roles

  • Connect with new Sun, Moon & Stars families

  • Foster community within their respective towns

  • Provide guidance and support to families

  • Explain how Sun, Moon & Stars programs and activities are facilitated

Ambassadors Responsibilities

  • Minimum of one (1) year as member of Sun, Moon & Stars activities

  • Active in events and activities

  • Active in fundraising

  • Approved by Sun, Moon & Stars Board of Directors

Represented Towns & Contacts

Apply Now

© 2017 Sun, Moon, & Stars

A 501c3 Organzation 

Web site created with Wix.com

by Sun, Moon & Stars Inc.

Call us:

203-510-9931

Send us mail:

PO Box 563 Watertown CT 06795

Sun, Moon & Stars organizes community events and partners with local establishments to provide its member-families with a judgment-free and supportive environment. Sun, Moon & Stars does not provide therapeutic services or behavioral support at any such event. Each of our children has unique abilities and/or limitations and it is therefore critical that you are prepared to accommodate your child’s individual needs during a Sun, Moon & Stars activity or outing. We welcome you to invite additional family members or your behavioral therapist to accompany and assist you with making you and your child’s experience at a Sun, Moon & Stars event successful. Our goal is to provide a safe and comfortable atmosphere for all.

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Sun, Moon & Stars may examine any information or content ("Content") before or after its publication, prevent publication of inappropriate or otherwise inadequate or erroneous Content, or remove such Content after its publication. Sun, Moon & Stars retains sole discretion in determining which Content will be published, the duration of its publication, its location, how and when it appears on the Sun, Moon & Stars website ("Website"), its design and any other matter pertaining to the publication of Content within the Website.  Sun, Moon & Stars does not guarantee that all Content will be published, in general or for any limited time. Content submitted by users of the Website ("Users") for publication does not reflect the views of Sun, Moon & Stars. Publishing Content does not warrant its validity, reliability, accuracy, legality or it being up-to-date. Sun, Moon & Stars disclaims any warranties relating to the accuracy of any content, including Content provided by Users, presented or displayed within the website. Sun, Moon & Stars will not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damage, or payments, either in tort, contract, or in any other form of liability, arising from, or in connection with the use of, reliance on, or any information contained within the Website, including, without limitation, Content originating from third parties or from retention, deletion, disclosure and any other use or loss of any User's Content on the Website.  In any event, a User's sole remedy will be limited to correcting such errors or malfunctions. The Website may include commercial information or advertisements. Sun, Moon & Stars does not endorse the content of third party advertisements. Additionally, and without derogating from the previous sentence, Sun, Moon & Stars will not be liable for any form of liability arising from a User's reliance on, or in connection with, the use of the content of commercial information or advertisements posted on the Website. Although Sun, Moon & Stars may include links to websites not operated or managed by Sun, Moon & Stars, Sun, Moon & Stars will not be liable for any form of liability arising from your reliance on, or in connection with, the content of such websites or any information provided by them, including but not limited to its completeness, accuracy, correctness or it being up-to-date.  Sun, Moon & Stars will not be liable for any direct or indirect damage, monetary or otherwise, arising from a User's use of or a User's reliance on the content of goods or services a User has accessed via commercial information or advertisements posted on the Website or other links on the Website. Without from any applicable law, the User agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Sun, Moon & Stars, and its employees, officers, directors and agents, as well as all third party advertisers, from and against all claims, damages, expenses, losses and liabilities that arise as a result of the User's violation of these Terms. This indemnity is intended to cover all expenses, payments, loss, loss of profits or any other damage, direct or indirect, monetary or non-monetary, incurred by Sun, Moon & Stars and its employees, officers, directors and agents as a result of the User's violation of the Terms, including but not limited to legal expenses and attorney fees.

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