About Us

We are a dedicated group of adults and youth working to create a template for changing cultures of violence against women and children.

WITNESS Project International is an arts-based initiative of The Margaret Clemons Foundation (MCF), a New York City based nonprofit organization with a mission to stop the cycle of violence against women and children using integrative counselor/teacher training, education, expressive arts therapy, and community/youth arts initiatives. MCF is partnered with Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA, and the Government of Guyana, South America, to create a template for change to be used first in Guyana, then throughout the Caribbean, Latin America, and the world.

The pilot program for building this template is in Guyana, SA, because it is a country mired in gender violence with a government motivated to partner with organizations to address this humanitarian problem with social, cultural, educational, health, and economic consequences for families and society. Guyana is small enough for real change to be tracked over time, it is English speaking, and MCF has partnerships with the Government of Guyana, Ministry of Education, Child Protective Services, and others, along with organizations like Help & Shelter working to address gender violence, and children/families in crisis.

As part of this template for change Lesley University, in conjunction with MCF and the Guyana Ministry of Education, launched a unique Master’s Degree Program specifically tailored for individuals working in social services and schools. The Master’s Degree Program in Trauma Sensitive Assessment, Intervention, and Consultation equips graduates to bring improved counseling and support services to families and individuals.