Help Beloved CWS Teacher & Co-Founder After Fire

My name is Maria Velez-Clarke and I'm the Principal of The Children's Workshop School. Jean Finnerty and I founded CWS in 1993 as a place for students to be open-minded and compassionate, to gain a sense of themselves and others, and to understand and appreciate the diversity of the community. Jean embodies the mission and spirit of CWS -- uplifting our students, families, and community.

Over the years Jean has served as a leader in our school, and has taught nearly all grades at the school and this year is serving as our health and wellness physical education teacher. She has mentored and supported thousands of children over the years, and also works to nurture the next generation of public school teachers as the student teacher coordinator at CWS.

On March 29, 2022 Jean lost everything when her apartment caught fire. We are asking the community on the Lower East Side to come and rally for her as she has rallied for so many of us over the past thirty years. Gifts of any amount are greatly appreciated as we help Jean rebuild what she has lost. She will need to replace all personal items, clothes, and furniture as well as find long-term housing.