Tribute mural unveiling honors work of REALTOR® Good Neighbor winner MaliVai Washington 

For Immediate Release 

Tribute mural unveiling honors work of REALTOR® Good Neighbor winner MaliVai Washington 

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., April 10, 2023 – Longtime REALTOR® and former tennis pro MaliVai Washington will be honored when a special painted mural is unveiled on Thursday, April 13, at the charitable foundation he set up in Durkeeville. 

The MaliVai Washington Youth Foundation at 1055 W. 6^th Street, Jacksonville, FL 32209 will be the site of a “painted tribute unveiling’ on Thursday, April 13 at 4 pm.  

The mural commemorates the award-winning tennis and tutoring program MaliVai Washington established to create life-changing opportunities for at-risk youth in Jacksonville. The mural was painted by local artist Christian Stanley and commissioned by the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR). 

A member of the Northeast Florida Association of REALTORS® (NEFAR) MaliVai was one of five NAR REALTORS® from throughout the nation to win the national REALTOR® association’s coveted Good Neighbor Award in 2022. The award recognizes REALTORS® who have made an extraordinary impact on their communities through volunteer work. The winners received $10,000 grants for their charity. In partnership with NAR’s national “That’s Who We R” campaign, they are developing murals that are customized for each 2022 Good Neighbor recipient to shine a light in each community and exemplify how REALTORS® make their communities better places to live, work, and raise a family. 

“NEFAR is proud to have MaliVai Washington, a longtime member, receive the Good Neighbor Award from the National Association of REALTORS®,” said 2023 Northeast Florida Association of REALTORS President Diana Galavis. “MaliVai’s work with youth is an inspiration to us all.” 

For 26 years, the MaliVai Washington Youth Foundation (MWYF) has worked to break the cycle of poverty through a vibrant after-school mentoring program. The foundation serves 500 kids annually by focusing on tutoring, leadership skills, financial training, and fitness. It has attained a 100% high school graduation rate of teens who have gone through its program, compared to the surrounding neighborhoods dropout rate of 20%. 

“REALTORS are naturally giving in nature and do lots of good works. That’s Who We R,” said Galavis. “MaliVai is just one of many REALTORS® who give their time and talent to our Northeast Florida community. REALTORS are good neighbors.”  

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The Northeast Florida Association of Realtors (NEFAR,) serves as the voice of real estate in Northeast Florida. It is the region’s largest professional association, representing more than 12,000 members who work in all facets of the real estate industry including residential and commercial sales and property management. It serves the public through support of community affairs programs and seeks to protect private property rights. The region’s multiple listing service, realMLS, is a wholly owned subsidiary of NEFAR. NEFAR is headquartered in Jacksonville, with satellite Service Centers in Orange Park, Jacksonville Beach, and Palatka.