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Our Story

We’re proud to live in a Sanctuary City which welcomes immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers (also known as asylees). We were surprised to learn that about one in seven people in our county, Monroe County, New York, speak English as a second language and have difficulty navigating their way through everyday life in an English speaking world. Many of these families rely on their school-age children to act as their interpreters. We see the English language as one of the keys to opening their sense of belonging in the community. As seasoned educators, our goal is to weave our teaching experience with the language needs of each individual learner. LACE partners with both for-profit and not-for-profit businesses and organizations to provide seamless access to English language classes. LACE can push-in to a partner’s location, bringing us right where the clients live and work.

Older refugee student in English class

Meet The LACE Makers

Jeannie Hines-Clinton

Co-founder, In Memorium (1971-2024)

NYS Teaching Certification in Music Education  (K-12), BA in Music Performance from Western Washington University, Masters of Education and Technology from the University of Phoenix. TESOL- VIPKID International Foundational and Advanced Certification.
First Generation Filipino American. English as a New Language (ENL) Educator and virtual educator Harley School 2019-2021, VIPKID ENL teacher 2016-2021, Music/Theater Teacher (Taught 6-12) Allendale Columbia School 2002-2015. NYS Certification Music K-12, Filipino American and Asian American Community Activist, Member of Filipino American Association of Rochester since 2011, Past President (2017-2018), and current member of the Board of Directors, volunteer, member of the National Council of Jewish Women Greater Rochester Section, Member of New York/New Jersey Regional Network of the White House Initiative on Asian American, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (WHIAANHPI), Entrepreneur/President/Owner and Chief Visionary officer- Jean’s Jewels, graduate of Cornell University Women’s Entrepreneurship program.

Pauline Kolman Rosenberg

Co-founder, President

A seasoned educator, Pauline Kolman Rosenberg first began teaching English while living in Israel in the early 1990s.  She taught adults in a variety of locations including the Hadassah Technical College’s Hotel School, the Israeli Foreign Ministry, and Bank Leumi.  Pauline also worked locally for several years giving one-on-one ESL conversation classes to a family from Japan.  More recently, Pauline has been an ESL instructor with VIPKid since 2018.  With VIPKid, Pauline taught one-on-one classes online to children from ages 3-to 15.  She really enjoys teaching both in-person and online!  In addition to teaching English, Pauline has been affiliated with Temple Sinai’s School of Jewish Life and Learning for 25 years.  She has taught both the Hebrew language and Jewish history to grades 7-10.  Pauline has also been the Assistant Education Director at Temple Sinai for the past 15 years.  In this role, Pauline worked on curriculum development and mentored teachers.  She has also taught a monthly faculty seminar for many years.   In 2011, Pauline received the Grinspoon-Steinhardt Award for Excellence in Jewish Education.  She also taught Hebrew to grades 4-7 at the Hillel School for two years.   Pauline has been an active volunteer in several community organizations.  She was the chair or co-chair of several committees on the PTA and at the Jewish Community Federation of Greater Rochester.  Pauline has a B.A. in Psychology from Bryn Mawr College as well as certificates in TESOL (foundational and advanced) and TEFL.

Jacqui Lipschitz

Board Treasurer

Jacqui joins the team as the sole representative from Cape Town, South Africa! Arriving in the United States in 1995 as an English-speaking immigrant was still a challenge, as there was little to no community support available with the acclimation process. This experience has contributed to Jacqui’s goal of providing seamless support to new immigrants as they integrate into a new society. Jacqui’s educational background includes a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Biblical Studies from the University of Cape Town, and a Master’s degree in Jewish Education from Hebrew College in Massachusetts. Her passion is teaching students of all ages through meaningful and relevant educational opportunities. Her career path in Rochester, New York includes the following: Teaching a variety of ages in a reform Jewish supplementary school for ten years. Teaching Kindergarten in a pluralistic Jewish day school for five years. Launching and running PJ Library in our community for five years. Heading a reform Jewish supplementary school as director of education for six years. Jacqui loves working as part of a dynamic team of educators and administrators…!

Amy Stein

Board Member

Amy Stein is the new Executive Director of the Rochester Education Foundation, REF’s mission is to provide programs and resources to improve learning and success for all Rochester city public school students through partnerships with educators, businesses, and the community. Amy’s career has been primarily in the nonprofit sector, raising funds and developing programs.  Most recently, Amy served as Director of Development at Rochester Hearing and Speech Center and previously was Director of Philanthropy at the Jewish Federation of Greater Rochester. Prior to moving to Rochester, she was the Development Officer at AIDS Project Rhode Island. Amy is committed to pursuing social justice.  She believes that everyone is entitled to opportunities to learn, grow, and thrive.  In addition to serving on the board of Rochester’s LACE, she is a current board member and a past president of NCJW (National Council of Jewish Women, Greater Rochester Section), which strives to improve the quality of life for women, children, and families, and safeguards individual rights and freedoms. 

Amy holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York and a Master’s Degree from Hebrew College in Boston, Massachusetts.  In addition, she earned a Certificate in Fundraising from Boston University.  Amy’s commitment in leadership is to embrace and include diverse and creative voices; and to help others succeed, grow, and shine. Amy shares her life with her husband, Peter, and their grown children Eliana, who lives in Boston and Ari, who lives in Pittsburgh. She enjoys reading, walking in nature, traveling, and meeting people with stories to share.

Darci Dembroski

Board Member

Darci began her teaching career as a Kindergarten teacher and then eventually moved to higher education to assist new teachers in receiving NYS teaching certification. 

In 2021 Darci began to volunteer with World Relief Western NY as an ESOL conversation partner and fell in love with the refugee population.  In 2024 she began her work at Catholic Charities in the Resettlement and Placement Department until that department was forced to close in 2025. In June she began as an instructor at Rochester LACE and has recently started the first ‘in-home’ Moms & Tots class for Afghani women.  As well as teaching with Rochester LACE, you will often find Darci sharing a meal in the home of refugee friends, attending medical appointments with them, advocating for their children in school, and simply enjoying their friendship! 

Darci holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Roberts Wesleyan College and a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from SUNY Oswego. 

Her work is guided by a deep belief in the power of language to open doors, create belonging, and build stronger communities.

Amal Abdi

Board Secretary
Amal Abdi has an Associate in Human Resources from MCC, a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Administration from Robert Wesleyan and is currently pursuing her Masters in Business Administration with a concentration in Leadership and Management at Saint Cloud State University. With over 12 years of extensive experience in social work, pharmacy, and administrative roles within healthcare and community organizations, a dedication in making a positive impact on individuals and communities. Beyond her professional roles, she is deeply passionate about community development and has actively engaged in volunteer work aimed at helping refugee families understand the American system and build new lives for their families. Leveraging her fluency in multiple languages, including Somali, Swahili, and English, she has facilitated workshops and provided support to refugees, ensuring they receive the necessary information and resources to navigate the complexities of their new environment as a Business Consultant and a nonprofit strategist. This volunteer work reflects her belief in the transformative power of education and community support in empowering individuals to overcome challenges and embrace new opportunities. She is beyond excited to join Rochester LACE as a board member to continue to work with families exploring new languages and cultures

Advisory Board

Pilapa Esara Carroll

Marilyn Fenster

Vicki Finnefrock

Ann Leonard

Samuel Rosenberg

Rochesters LACE Inc is registered as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Contributions to Rochester LACE are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law.  The tax identification number for Rochester LACE is 88-1255324.

contact us

Rochester LACE
P.O. Box 23684
Rochester, NY  14692

info@rochesterlace.org

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