Port Volunteers Help Woman’s Opportunity Rehabilitation Center

"Hairitage, the Journey of Sistahs with Their Hair," will be presented at Molloy College  Saturday, June 21 at 4 p.m. and 8pm.  The proceeds will benefit WORC, the Woman’s Opportunity Rehabilitation Center (WORC) of Hempstead, where one Port Washington family actively volunteers.  

The play is a story of six “Sistahs” who share the journey of their hair and the many different ways their hair has impacted their lives.  As the saying goes, “It will make you cry, make you laugh, make you think, and definitely make you feel empowered!”             

WORC is a multi service center offering an alternative to incarceration program for female offenders. WORC, Inc. assists the rehabilitation, breaking the cycle of recidivism by determining and addressing the root causes of their criminal behavior. Designed to help women become self-sufficient and empowered to divest them from public assistance.  

According to WORC's Executive Director Diane Gaines, the services provided help women heal from the effects of incarceration, neglect, abuse, financial hardships, low self-esteem, poverty, and substance abuse; to assist female offenders in rehabilitation, re-entry into the community, and becoming self-sufficient, empowered, and useful citizens; to break the cycle of recidivism and help female offenders move from public dependence to the work force through rehabilitation.

The many volunteers working with Gaines and the clients include Dr. and Mrs. Cosmo and Karen Vetrone, their daughter Lee Anne Vetrone-Timothy and their grandchildren Sam and Jake Timothy all of Port Washington.  Dr. Vetrone has interviewed potential clients at the Nassau County Jail. Karen and Lee Anne are involved in project developments, tutoring and, lately, moving the Center to it’s new headquarters on North Franklin in Hempstead. Sam and Jake were “heavy lifters” along with their friend Scott.  Holly Dumpson, who grew up in Port Washington, is on the WORC staff.  

For further information, to volunteer your services or make a donation, contact Karen Vetrone, ahagirl@aol.com or 516-467-7212.