From Grief to Greatness: Alan Sclar’s Mission to Empower Children with Special Needs Through the Dara Lynn Foundation
Alan Sclar, JD, MBA, grew up in Brooklyn, New York, the son of two loving parents and a product of the city’s public school system. He earned his law degree from New York Law School and his MBA from Columbia University. A lifelong New Yorker, Alan has built a successful career as a partner at Smith Mazure, where he specializes in commercial, corporate and insurance litigation. In addition to practicing law, Alan is also an active investor and business consultant, working with a range of startups and early-stage ventures.
Alan is the proud father of four children, now ages 29, 25 (twins), and 21. He lost his beloved wife, Dara Lynn, to cancer ten years ago. Since then, he has dedicated his life not only to raising his children but also to honoring Dara’s legacy. Most recently, Alan founded the Dara Lynn Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with the mission to become the leading early intervention program for children ages 3–5 with autism and intellectual disabilities. The Foundation is currently planning the opening of its first special needs school in New York City this late fall. In addition, the Foundation is planning to open enrichment programs this summer.
Tell us about your late wife Dara Lynn. Who was she?
Dara was the heart of our family—the best mother in the world and someone who truly found joy in motherhood. She faced early challenges with infertility but was overjoyed when our first daughter Rayna was born, followed by our twins and then Sydney. Dara was an early childhood educator certified in special education.
In 2014, she began planning to open a school for young children with special needs. Our daughter Sydney, who is on the spectrum, couldn’t speak until she was almost five years old. But through early intervention, she made tremendous progress. Dara knew firsthand what early education could do for a child. Unfortunately, she was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive cancer shortly after we began scouting locations, and she passed away in July 2015.
This foundation is not only inspired by her vision—it is her vision.
Why the passion for special needs children?
It all comes from Sydney. Watching her transformation through early intervention was life changing. She now attends Kingsborough Community College in the Melissa Riggio Program. Sydney previously attended LearningSpring School in Manhattan, Riverview School in Massachusetts, and The IDEAL School in NYC.
Between formal education and Dara working with her at home between the ages of 3 and 5, Sydney developed a level of independence that has shaped her entire life. It taught me that the preschool years are everything. They’re the difference between isolation and inclusion.
You’re planning on opening a school in the fall. How is that going?
We are aiming to open mid-to-late fall, pending funding and compliance with regulatory requirements. We're currently interviewing candidates for the position of school director and finalizing agreements for our physical location.
How do you plan to scale after the first school opens?
Once we successfully open and operate our first school, our goal is to expand throughout New York City. No child between the ages of 3 and 5 with special needs should be left on a waiting list or forced to travel hours for appropriate education. That’s our north star.
Congratulations on a successful Benefit Dinner & Poker Tournament. Tell us about the evening.
The event was a heartfelt celebration of purpose. We had more than three hundred people in the room—all there for the right reasons—and the energy was palpable. From the caterer to the emcee, from the venue to the poker professionals, everything aligned. If that night was any indication of how we’ll run the school, we’re in a very good place.
There were some high-profile guests in attendance. Can you tell us more?
Absolutely. We were honored to be joined by:
Hank Azaria – Emmy-winning actor (The Simpsons, Brockmire, Ray Donovan)
Mayor Bill de Blasio – Former Mayor of New York City
Tony Richardson – Former NFL All-Pro Running Back
Charles Oakley – NBA All-Star
Steve Hytner – Comedy icon (Seinfeld’s “Kenny Bania”)
Garry Pastore – Actor (The Sopranos, The Irishman, The Blacklist)
Matt Servitto – Actor (The Sopranos, Billions, Your Honor)
Andy Frankenberger – Two-time World Series of Poker Champion
These incredible individuals were not only present—they were present. They mingled with guests, played poker, shared stories, and opened their hearts. Several shared deeply personal experiences: both Garry and Matt have children on the spectrum, and Steve lost a son to cancer. Their support and authenticity meant the world to us.
"What Alan is doing is important, and I’ll support him however I can." – Hank Azaria
"This school will be a game-changer for New York’s kids." – Mayor Bill de Blasio
"It’s not just about cards tonight—it’s about making an impact." – Tony Richardson
"We’re not just here to play. We’re here to make a difference." – Charles Oakley
Who won the tournament?
That would be MJ Pedone, President & CEO of Indra Public Relations. She had a bit of early coaching from Charles Oakley, and clearly, she was paying attention!
You gave a moving speech. What do you think resonated most with your guests?
I think it was the idea that giving to these children isn’t charity—it’s investment. Every speaker that night emphasized the transformational power of early intervention. We weren’t just talking about it—we were showing what it can do.
How can our readers support the Dara Lynn Foundation?
We’re always looking for support—whether through donations, volunteer work, or introductions to others who can help. Every dollar, every hour, every connection brings us one step closer to opening our school.
You can learn more or donate at: www.daralynnfoundation.com
What’s next for the Dara Lynn Foundation?
After the school opens, we’ll expand our programming and partnerships. Two of our core collaborators are:
Kekoa Foods – Providing clean, nutritious meals for our students.
Complete Playground – Designing environments that foster sensory learning and joyful play.
Together, we’re building something truly special: a holistic program where children can become the best versions of themselves.