President of the WORC Board
Educator and Creative Problem Solver

Karen Vetrone is the creator of the Aha! Spa, a nationally presented creative problem-solving program. With a lifelong passion for education, she has taught and trained in schools and major corporations across the country . . .

Advocate for Persons with Disabilities

Frank Krotchinsky, Esq. is the director of the Suffolk County Office for People with Disabilities. He oversees over 283,000 people with disabilities to include . . .

Advocate, Educator, and Leader

Victoria Roberts continues to serve her community with unwavering dedication and purpose. As a woman with lived experience, she brings an authentic voice of strength, resilience, and hope to spaces where those qualities are often most needed. Her personal journey fuels her passion for justice, healing . . .

Educator and Mental Health Advocate

Maria Ceraulo is a retired Special Education Biology teacher whose lifelong commitment to advocacy extends far beyond the classroom. She currently serves as Criminal Justice Chair for National Alliance On Mental Illness (NAMI) of Queens/Nassau and facilitates support groups for the Prison Families Alliance.

A Lifetime of Advocacy, Leadership, and Community Impact

René is a distinguished professional whose career spans over fifty years in the fields of criminal justice, treatment services, and youth advocacy. Now retired, René leaves behind a legacy of transformative leadership, innovation, and service at the local, state, and national levels. . . .

Program Manager

Dr. Williamson serves as a key leader within the WORC program where she is dedicated to empowering justice-impacted women and youth through holistic support, education, and workforce development. . . .

Chief Fiscal Officer

Mr. Simaren is In charge of our essentials for timely financial reporting, accounting, audit, and finance. He develops operating budgets for federal and state grants ensuring compliance with financial regulations . . .

Case Manager

Shirley Smith is a seasoned Substance Abuse Counselor, Case Manager, Community Health Worker, Recovery Coach and Certified Narcan Trainer with extensive experience supporting justice-involved populations . . .

Administrative Assistant/Case Aide

Ms. Samuel provides day-to-day management of administrative tasks, maintains organized records, and supports program operations. She greets and assists clients, visitors, and stakeholders in a professional and courteous manner. She maintains program schedules, client appointments, staff meetings . . .

Bilingual Youth Case Manager

As a bilingual (English and Spanish) case manager at the Women’s Opportunity Rehabilitation Center (WORC), Inc., I provide wraparound support to youth facing life challenges, including truancy, foster care transitions, homelessness, and reentry from the justice system. . . .

Bilingual Case Manager

Claudia Echeverri is a dedicated and trauma-informed bilingual case manager with extensive experience supporting survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking. With a strong commitment to justice and empowerment, she provides compassionate, culturally responsive services. . . .

Entrepreneurship Facilitator

As an Entrepreneurship Facilitator, I empower women and youth with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to launch and grow their own businesses. Through interactive classes, I guide participants in financial management, marketing, business planning, and leadership development . . .

Workforce Development Specialist

Joyce A. Lewis combines a strong academic foundation with a heartfelt commitment to community service. Holding a Master’s in Public Administration with a concentration in Organizational Theory, she channels her expertise into fostering growth, independence, and self-confidence among those she serves. . . .

GED Instructor

Ms. Kavanaugh has been with the WORC program for over twenty years. As GED instructor, she teaches the core subjects Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies. She initially assesses students’ academic strengths and weaknesses through diagnostic tests, thereby, creating individualized learning plans to help students meet their goals. . . .

Program Coordinator
WORC Afterschool Program

Ms. Lowe is a retired Banker with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. She also holds New York State Teachers Assistant certification. The Afterschool program provides free homework assistance, tutoring, S.T.E.M. and creative enrichment activities. As a professional coach, Ms. Lowe offers skill building opportunities such as financial literacy, leadership development, and creative arts which encourages self-expression and social skills that promotes communication and teamwork. Ms. Lowe and the teaching staff, create a safe haven where every child feels valued.

Teacher
WORC Afterschool Program

Ms. Brewster is a dedicated teacher at the WORC Afterschool Program. Ms. Brewster worked in the public school system for 13 years and retired as a school counselor. She holds bachelor’s degree from Adelphi University and a master’s degree from NYIT.  With her added experience as a case manager working in the mental health field, Ms. Brewster is able to assist young people who are facing so many challenges and barriers. She fosters an engaging, empathetic learning environment for the young people in the afterschool program.