Winsome Wishes for KIDS
Kids Institute Development Services
Our Vision
To ensure that all schools have the academic resources, trained teachers, and funding necessary to reach educationally marginalized children.
Mission Statement
To help children with learning challenges or disabilities become their best selves. To facilitate teacher education in any way we can to enrich their students’ lives while enhancing their knowledge and techniques.
Our History
For many years, Simone helped create an avenue to strengthen support of schools and organizations across Jamaica. Family and friends who saw her never-ending commitment to the needs of children encouraged Simone to follow her dream to make a positive and lasting impact on education for marginalized students. And in February 2020, Winsome Wishes for KIDS was founded, with the name bearing homage to the memory of her dear sister, Winsome Kirkland.
Simone’s passion was influenced and shaped in her primary years of education by her favorite teacher Mrs. Roslyn Smith. Auntie Rosie, as Mrs. Smith was affectionately called by most students and teachers at Vaz Prep School, spent her entire life committed to shaping the minds and souls of children through her love for education and sports.
“Mrs. Smith was full of energy and the life of Vaz Prep School. She was their champion cheerleader and her voice and excitement could always be felt motivating our team at every sporting event the school participated in. My personal experience with her begun when I was struggling academically in my class and was often lost in my own shell. Auntie Rosie recognized my weaknesses, took a keen interest in me, filled me with her spirit and taught me how to soar to the top of the class. She is hands down one of the best human beings I have encountered in my lifetime.” – Simone Fisher Sobers
It is this spirit of giving back and sharing access to quality education upon which Winsome’s Wishes for KIDS was founded. Everyone deserves a great education, and not every child learns the same way: We are working to change the paradigm of education in Jamaica, one child at a time.
Come join us on this adventure, guided by our motto “Here to help whomever, whenever and wherever possible.”
Trustees
Simone Fisher Sobers
President
She is the founder and President of Winsome Wishes for KIDS, Inc. (WWKIDS), a not-for-profit organization based in New York City and Jamaica.
Neda Navab
Director of Fundraising
She is from Tehran, Iran and has lived in the US since 1980. She had a career as a senior executive advertising and branding for national and international agencies in San Francisco and New York.
Curtis McDowell
Treasurer
He is a bilingual business professional based in the Dominican Republic with a Master’s in Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science. Curtis offer business consultancy and advisory services primarily in the Dominican Republic and Jamaica.
Annie Zheng
Assistant Treasurer
She is a Director and Treasurer of WWKIDS. The organization’s mission is close to Annie’s heart after witnessing a close family member dealing with a severe learning disability.
Marlene Jackson
Secretary, NY
Marlene Jackson was born in Kingston, Jamaica, lived in the Grand Cayman Islands, and migrated to the United States in the early 1980s. She joined the Metropolitan Transportation Authority in 1990 as an administrative assistant, working in various departments until 2003.
Karlene Crossdale
Director
She is a Registered Professional Nurse specializing in Adult Gastroenterology at The Northwell Health Systems in Long Island, NY and a recipient of the 2014 Northwell Health System Hospitality Agent Award
Stephanie Mooney Clark
Director
Mother of three, painter, photographer, former model, and lover of life, was born and raised in Indiana. As a child, she was captivated by the natural scenes that have profoundly influenced her artistic style.
Sharon Cawley-Johnson
Secretary, Jamaica
Hails from the parish of St. Elizabeth, Jamaica. She is a graduate of Holmwood Technical High School and Kingston Technical High School. She furthered her studies at the College of Arts, Science & Technology, as well as other institutions, including the Institute of Management & Production and others.
Advisors
Sandra Bramwell-Rose
Educational Consultant - Jamaica
Sandra Bramwell-Rose is the Founder and Executive
Director of Versan Educational Services, the premier Caribbean educational consulting and test prep firm headquartered in Kingston, Jamaica.
Judean Brown-Woelfle
Education Advisor Support
A native Jamaican, moved to the United States at 18 and has since spent most of her time in New York. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Family and Consumer Sciences from Queen’s College in Queens, New York, followed by a master’s degree in Special Education
Rochelle Cohen-Levin
Learning Specialist Advisor
Rochelle Cohen-Levine has a Masters Degree
from Columbia University Teachers College
in Learning Disabilities.
Rochelle worked at St Bernard's School as
the Director of Special Learning for 23 years.
Marsha Finletter
Education Advisor Support
She is a certified Exceptional Student Education (ESE) educator in Florida with over 15 years of experience in both Jamaica and the United States. She has held various roles, including school personnel clerk, officer, substitute teacher, and executive secretary.
Alderine Healey
Education Advisor Support
I have been a Pre-K teacher at the YMCA Paulding Early Learning Center for the past 14 years. I am a certified early childhood educator with a master’s degree in Early Childhood Education and was honored as the Georgia Pre-K Teacher of the Year for 2020-2021
Ronique Holgate
Educational Advisor
Is an educator and author who has a passion for adventure, reading, and improving literacy in children. It is her firm belief that the ability to read combined with critical thinking acquired through the use of puzzles and science; forms the platform that children need in order to succeed in life.
Pam Loree
Educational Consultant
She has dedicated her life to teaching young children. She earned an undergraduate degree from The University of North Texas in 1971 and a MS degree in Family and Child Development from Kansas State University in 1974.
Support Team
Christian and Kristina Bhalai
Networking
Dwayne Farquaharson
IT Web Design
Heather Smith
Networking