Our senior staff

Yokasta Morales, Executive Director
Born in Washington Heights and raised both in New York and the Dominican Republic, Yokasta Morales is the first Dominican woman to serve as Executive Director of Children's Arts & Science Workshops, Inc. Having joined CASW in 1985 as a Group Leader, Ms. Morales often draws from her own immigrant background when helping local youth navigate the unique obstacles of life in the neighborhood. Her bond with the community has driven the organization's success in the past decade. Under her direction, the rate of participants attending college has increased to 90%, and CASW became the first Northern Manhattan agency to receive City funding for a year-round youth employment program.

In recognition of her community service efforts, Ms. Morales has received the Manhattan Borough President's Achievement Award, the New York State Puerto Rican/Hispanic Community Service Award, and the New York City Department of Employment Recognition/Award for outstanding operation of the Summer Youth Employment Program. She was also among the honorees in a New York State Assembly resolution recognizing the contributions of Dominican women to Northern Manhattan. In 2007, El Diario la Prensa named Ms. Morales one of its "Mujeres Distinguidas" of the year. Ms. Morales has a BA in Sociology from The City University of New York and an MPA from Baruch College.


Rochelle Evertsz, Chief Fiscal Officer
Rochelle Evertsz is Chief Fiscal Officer responsible for CASW's overall financial operations. Having joined CASW as a Group Leader in 1980, she developed the "Education through the Arts" program still implemented in many of our programs. Ms. Evertsz has also planned activities for toddlers as a Teacher's Assistant at All Saints Day Care in New Jersey and served as an Arts & Crafts Instructor at the Hudson Cliffs Theatre Arts Program in Washington Heights. Ms. Evertsz has a BA in Art with a minor in Secondary Education from The City College of New York, and she has completed bookkeeping certifications from numerous agencies including the NYC Department of Youth and Children Services.



Laura Bosley, Development & Tutoring Services Director
Laura Bosley worked at CASW many years ago and returned as Development Director in 2007, when she enrolled her daughter in dance classes. From 2000 to 2007, she was the Research Director for Bedlam Entertainment, a conference management company. In 2005, she became the Associate Producer of COACH ME, a nonprofit program that offered executive coaching and skill building to women in the early stages of their careers. Prior to her work with Bedlam, Ms. Bosley worked in the field of medical conferencing and events. She has also performed Off-Broadway and around the country as an actor and singer. Ms. Bosley has a BA in English from Fordham University.




Sabine Desir, Deputy Director
Sabine Desir joined CASW in 2005 and became Deputy Director in May of 2009.  Beginning as a Literacy Instructor, Ms. Desir developed an integrated academic curriculum that included math, literacy, and science. Since then, she has served as a Summer Youth Employment Program Youth Advisor and created our Juvenile Detention Summer Pilot Program, which focused on continuing education and self-awareness. Prior to joining CASW, Ms. Desir was a Community Organizer for the Mosholu Montefiore Community Center, and she held positions at VISIONS Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired and the New Settlement College Access Center in the Bronx. Ms. Desir has a BA in Sociology from NYU, and an MSW from Hunter College.

Our board of directors

Lydia de la Rosa

Michelle Hazel

Zaida Lucio

Catalina Miranda
 
Luz Paulino

Minerva Rivera

Mildred Tamarez

Our program directors

After School Community Learning Centers:
Yolanda Ayala, PS 178
Geronimo Ruiz, Marble Hill Houses
Dahiana Valera, PS-MS 37
Grace Valera, PS 115

Bronx River Community Center Cornerstone Program
Isaiah Brown

Cultural Workshops Program:
Maria Cortes
Virginia Karasis
Lola Gallo Goldberg, Director Emeritus

Immigrant Special Initiatives for Youth & Families:
Sigry Vidal

In-School Youth/Transition to Adulthood Program:
Shevorne Martin

Out-of-School Youth Program:
Sigry Vidal

Summer Day Camps:
Geronimo Ruiz, Marble Hill Houses
Isaiah Brown, Bronx River Cornerstone Program
Grace Valera, PS 115

Summer Youth Employment Program:
Sigry Vidal

Tutoring Services:
Laura Bosley