CONTACT: DEANNA JAMES, PRESIDENT
(TEL) 340.773.9898, (EMAIL) DJAMES@STXFOUNDATION.ORG

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
July 31, 2019

St. Croix – St. Croix Foundation is pleased to announce a total of $17,000 in scholarships awarded to five St. Croix graduates on Wednesday, July 31st at St. Croix Foundation’s headquarters in Sunday Market Square. Scholarships were made possible through the second annual cycle for the Patrick and Amelia Williams Opportunity Fund and the Foundation’s DOVE Memorial Arts Scholarship Fund.

Two scholarships in the amount of $5,000 were awarded though the Patrick and Amelia Williams Opportunity Fund, which was established to provide opportunities to youth who have met obstacles but persevered despite these challenges and see educational pursuits as a means to achieving the personal and professional success that can then be shared with the next generation. Awards were presented to the following students by Junior Gaspard and St. Croix Foundation:

• LaMonique Berrios, Sam Houston State College, Major: Engineering
• Jayla Norman, Saint Agnes College, Major: Nursing

An additional scholarship was awarded to Alayna Caraballo through the Giving the Dream Fund for attendance at School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

Aimed at supporting students who have had to overcome obstacles to continue their education, particularly in the aftermath of Hurricanes Irma and Maria, students had to meet specific requirements that included being a graduate from a St. Croix public high school and junior high school, maintaining a GPA of 2.0 or higher, demonstrating financial need, and most importantly, submitting personal essays that spoke to the reality of their challenges and their journey to pursue their dreams. All recipients are required to submit reports to the Foundation.

A native of St. Croix and graduate of Central High School and John H. Woodson Junior High School himself, Gaspard and the rest of the Williams/Gaspard family wished to honor his grandparents in a meaningful way in the aftermath of the hurricanes of 2017.  It was deemed that launching a named scholarship fund would allow for a longer-lasting impact on the lives of students in the community and allow the lessons learned from his grandparents about resilience and perseverance to be passed on to the next generation of leaders.

Scholarship recipient Jayla Norman expressed her appreciation, stating that, “I am truly grateful to have been chosen by this prestigious foundation as a recipient for a Patrick & Amelia Williams Opportunity scholarship. The hard work that I have put in from my early years of education to now will continue so that awards such as this one are used effectively. I owe it all to God, my parents and godparents, close family and friends, and the great teachers and mentors that have blessed my mind and attitude throughout the years. I am forever grateful for opportunities like these that will help me to achieve great things and make the St. Croix Foundation, my community, and of course my parents proud.”

In 2018 St. Croix Foundation also awarded an additional $2,000 through its DOVE Memorial Arts Scholarship Fund (established in 2003) to support two students who received scholarships through the Williams Opportunity Fund: Mr. Joshua Parris is now in his second year studying Criminal Justice at the University of the Virgin Islands and Ms. Shauniqua Wells who is also in her second year at Monroe College pursuing a degree in the culinary arts.

According to St. Croix Foundation’s President, Deanna James, “This year is special for St. Croix Foundation. As part of our approach to holistic community development and strategic grantmaking, we made the decision to award two mini-grants to last year’s award recipients in demonstration of our commitment to supporting and sustaining our grantees through success.”

St. Croix Foundation extends its deepest appreciation to Junior Gaspard (and his family) for his partnership and philanthropic spirit as well as the Foundation’s Grants Review Committee for their engagement. The Patrick and Amelia Williams Opportunity Fund welcomes gifts to allow for additional students to be provided the chance to pursue their education.

For more information about the Williams Opportunity Fund, and how you can support this special scholarship opportunity for our young people, please contact St. Croix Foundation at 773-9898 or visit our website at www.stxfoundation.org to learn more.

CONTACT: DEANNA JAMES, PRESIDENT
(TEL)340.773.9898, (EMAIL) DJAMES@STXFOUNDATION.ORG

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
June 28, 2019

St. CROIX, U.S.V.I. – St. Croix Foundation is pleased to announce the launch of its Pilot Solar- Supported Community Center Project and workforce development initiative that will solarize several carefully selected community centers on St. Croix. The project, which was officially launched on Monday, June 21^st will serve as a replicable model through which local youth will be trained in an effort to build a skilled local workforce of solar installers. Funded in partnership with the VI Department of Labor, the Center for Disaster Philanthropy, Global Giving, The Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation, Limetree Bay Terminals, and Diageo USVI and a number of other national philanthropic entities, the community centers that will be solarized include The Caribbean Center for the Boys and Girls, Flambouyant Gardens, Mon Bijou Community Center and USVI Soccer Association.

During the first phase of the Project, 10 students aged 18-24, who are currently enrolled in the 5-month National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) course will receive intense classroom instruction in NCCER Core Curriculum, Electrical Levels 1-4, and Solar PV Installation. Students will receive a stipend during the program in addition to uniforms and toolkits which they will be allowed to keep upon completion of the program. Once the participants have completed the classroom component of the program and have successfully passed each level of coursework, they will receive on-the-job training installing Solar Photovoltaic Systems on the 4 local community centers.

The chosen solar-powered community centers will ultimately serve as a neighborhood hub for individuals and families in walking proximity, to support them with critical needs in the aftermath of future natural (or manmade) disasters enabling residents to store medication that requires refrigeration, charge electronic devices, and use internet connection to communicate with family. Community centers can also serve as localized distribution sites from which aid and relief items can be stored and disseminated in the future. Equally important, this Project seeks to nurture a culture of resilience by empowering each nonprofit community center to achieve a reduction in utility costs, the savings from which can be reinvested in direct services that benefit the communities and vulnerable populations they serve.

According to St. Croix Foundation President, Deanna James, “As our community continues to recover from the 2017 hurricanes, this Solar-supported Workforce Development Program is a perfect representation of how the Foundation is advancing its recovery agenda and its commitment to holistic Community Development.”  The ripple impacts of this initiative are far-reaching, touching on every priority that the Foundation has established since the hurricanes, from energy independence, and nonprofit capacity building to workforce development and community self-sufficiency.”  “The Project is also a demonstration of the power of Civic Leadership in driving strategic public-private partnerships,” James continued.

The Foundation extends its sincere gratitude to all of its community partners for their support and collaboration in making this project a reality including the Department of Labor, Commissioner Gary Molloy and his Team on the Workforce Development Board, Sustainable System and Design International, Lions Den, and of course our instructors.

The Foundation also wishes to invite local solar installation companies to support this project by offering long-term employment opportunities to qualified participants upon successful attainment of NCCER certification in order to achieve the ultimate outcome of this venture, which is gainful employment for our skilled youth.

The Foundation invites media to meet our participants, Monday, July 8, 2019, from 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM at the St. Croix Foundation Headquarters located at 1023 Market St. Christiansted, VI 00820. For more information about how to support this and other St. Croix Foundation initiatives, please visit www.stxfoundation.org or contact the Foundation directly at 340.773.9898.

CONTACT: DEANNA JAMES, PRESIDENT
(TEL) 340.773.9898, (EMAIL) DJAMES@STXFOUNDATION.ORG

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
JUNE 14, 2019

St. Croix – The St. Croix Foundation is pleased to announce that on June 20^th and 21^st, it will once again host Tuesday Ryan-Hart for a three-day community training grounded in systems change. Ms. Ryan-Hart is an internationally renowned systems change strategist who has worked with global organizations and stakeholders engaged in community building. Last summer, Ms. Ryan-Hart introduced local nonprofits and community stakeholders to a new concept of community engagement, entitled “The Art of Hosting,” to help build capacity in our community through conversations and training around high impact collaborations and leadership development. This summer, Ms. Ryan-Hart along with fellow practitioner, Kelly McGowan, will take a deeper dive into the concepts surrounding the Art of Hosting and provide fully-immersive trainings in the practice. Nonprofits in our community are invited to RSVP with Jonathan Williams at jwilliams@stxfoundation.org by Tuesday, June 18, 2019, for the trainings which will take place on Thursday & Friday, June 20^th and 21^st at the Company House Hotel Conference Room in historic downtown Christiansted. Ryan-Hart will be holding a closed workshop on June 19^th.

The Art of Hosting supports dynamic and diverse community stakeholders in exploring and unpacking barriers to effective collaborations to include; acknowledging perceptions of where and how Power sits in a room; mutual agreements around shared work and shared values; how stakeholders Host themselves as Individual Leaders vs. Organizational Leaders in collaborative spaces;  and how to find balance between Chaos and Order in complex systems.

Today, the Foundation is acutely sensitized to the fact that Systemic Change in our Civic Sector (and in our community on a whole) must happen in order for our entire Territory to not only survive but to thrive. As such, the Foundation has committed to drilling down deeper.

Defined as, “a highly effective way of harnessing the collective wisdom and self-organizing capacity of groups based on the assumption that people give their energy and lend their resources to what matters most to them – in work as in life – the Art of Hosting blends a suite of powerful conversational processes to invite people to step in and take charge of the challenges facing them and their communities.”

According to St. Croix Foundation President, Deanna James: “Because many of those challenges are grounded in patterns of thinking; and patterns of practice that no longer serve the advancement and innovation of our Territory, changing some of our thought patterns and rooted inter-personal practices will require heavy lifting.”

“Over the course of the past year, the Foundation has been sponsoring convenings around the issues of civic leadership, collaboration, and community vision building. Ms. Ryan-Hart and Ms. McGowan’s engagement represent the deepening of our commitment to sustained capacity building in our civic sector.” James continued.

St. Croix Foundation extends its deepest appreciation to Tuesday Ryan-Hart, Kelly McGowan, and to St. Croix’s nonprofits who continue to provide vital services to our community while also moving the needle on entrenched social issues. Special thanks also goes out to the many corporate, foundation, and individual contributors who make St. Croix Foundation Nonprofit Consortium and CARE Fund possible.

For more information on the Foundation’s upcoming convenings, or to RSVP for attendance, please call the St. Croix Foundation at 340-773-9898 or email: jwilliams@stxfoundation.org.

The St. Croix Foundation, in partnership with The Coca Cola Company, announces the opening of the Farm-Tienda Grant Application.

The project supports the recovery and development of agribusiness on St. Croix by granting eligible farmers a durable and moveable “farm stand” for the expansion of their local business and to serve as community hubs in the face of future storms.

Read the full press release

Review application guidelines

Visit the online application portal

CONTACT: DEANNA JAMES, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
(TEL) 340.773.9898, (EMAIL) DJAMES@STXFOUNDATION.ORG

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 1, 2019

St. CROIX, U.S.V.I., April 1, 2019 — St. Croix Foundation is pleased to announce that the second cycle of the Patrick and Amelia Williams Opportunity Fund for St. Croix youth opens April 1, 2019. Geared towards providing opportunities for St. Croix students to pursue their career goals through colleges or universities, scholarships not to exceed $5000 will be awarded to successful applicants. All applications will be reviewed on the basis of residency, school attendance, and GPA.

Graduates from a St. Croix public high school who have also attended a public junior high school and reside on St. Croix are eligible to apply. All applicants must provide proof of acceptance to an accredited college or university and must indicate and maintain a GPA of 2.0 or higher. Applications will be reviewed by the St. Croix Foundation Grants Review Committee and must be received no later than May 10.

The Patrick and Amelia Williams Opportunity Fund was established in 2018 by Junior Gaspard, a native of St. Croix and graduate of Central High School and John H Woodson Junior High School, who wished to honor his grandparents, Patrick and Amelia Williams. The Williams’ hard work, determination, and resilience is a legacy that Junior Gaspard and his family are committed to passing down to further generations, providing opportunities for St. Croix youth to overcome any obstacle with strength and perseverance.

After visiting St. Croix post-Hurricane Maria and Irma, Gaspard wanted to do something that could have a long-term impact. Knowing the challenges high-school students face preparing for and getting resources for college in a post-hurricane environment, this seemed to be most impactful way to help. “I remember going to double sessions and doing homework by kerosene lantern after Hurricane Hugo,” said Gaspard. “If this helps a few students who can persevere to get and stay in college, it will be a success.” He has seen firsthand the drive and ability St. Croix youth and knows many of them just need the resources to seize the opportunity of higher education.

President of St. Croix Foundation, Deanna James, stated, “The Patrick and Amelia Williams Opportunity Fund and the commitment of the Gaspard family to support St. Croix youth is an example of active, hands-on philanthropy that the Foundation is nurturing throughout our direct services and grantmaking. While the Territory continues to rebuild after the 2017 hurricanes, encouraging and providing opportunities to students is a critical piece of empowering our young people to become fully engaged in sound community development.”

In its first cycle, the Patrick and Amelia Williams Opportunity Fund awarded three St. Croix students scholarships totaling over $10,000 to defray tuition expenses for awardees to attend Monroe College in New York, Houston Community College in Texas, and the University of the Virgin Islands. Today, the Gaspard family is building awareness and mobilizing community both on and off the island to increase opportunities and availability of resources for more local youth.

In reflection of the spirit of Patrick and Amelia Williams, the scholarship Fund also gives priority to young people who are involved in meaningful community service and who participate in extra-curricular activities. The Fund acknowledges the challenges that many young people face in becoming more involved in civics, however, and invites students to demonstrate in essays the reality of their socioeconomic issues to allow the Review Committee to better assess applications.

The Patrick and Amelia Williams Opportunity Fund will provide up to two scholarships a year with all scholarship recipients required to report on their successes and challenges throughout the year. This process will ensure that the Fund continues to meet current needs and to provide students with additional support if needed. Applications are due by May 10 and applicants will be informed by decisions by June 1. The full application guidelines can be found on the Foundation’s website at www.stxfoundation.org. Applicants are encouraged to apply online; however, applications may also be mailed/delivered to St. Croix Foundation’s office at 1023 Market Street, Christiansted, VI 00820.

St. Croix Foundation wishes to extend its sincerest appreciation to Junior Gaspard, who is strategically giving back to the community and honoring those that provided him further opportunities that have led to his success! For more information about how to support the Patrick and Amelia Williams Opportunity Fund, please visit the Foundation online or call at 340.773.9898.

CONTACT: DEANNA JAMES, PRESIDENT
(TEL)340.773.9898, (EMAIL) DJAMES@STXFOUNDATION.ORG

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
FEBRUARY 21, 2019

St. Croix Foundation for Community Development is pleased to announce the event lineup for its annual benefit, the 2019 St. Croix Food and Wine Experience. A series of culinary food and wine events held on the island of St. Croix, U.S.Virgin Islands from Thursday April 4th through Sunday April 7th, 2019. The St. Croix Food & Wine Experience is a celebration of the people, the land, the culture, and the cuisine of St. Croix.

Now in its 12th year, St. Croix Food & Wine Experience (FWE) has a long history of promoting not just St. Croix but, holistic community development through the work of St. Croix Foundation. An outgrowth of the “culinary extravaganza” A Taste of St. Croix, the Food and Wine Experience is today the annual fundraiser for the Foundation and has enabled the 28-year-old organization to advance its mission of encouraging greater philanthropic activity, marshaling resources, and acting as a catalyst to benefit the people of the Virgin Islands.

While A Taste of St. Croix and the FWE have existed as independent entities since 2016, the impact of both events has brought international recognition to St. Croix and has elevated St. Croix’s brand as a bona-fide culinary destination.

Over the past three years, St. Croix Foundation has been committed to ensuring that every event, every project and initiative attached to its name, is perfectly aligned with the organization’s mission and programmatic priorities of community revitalization and holistic community development.

This year, St. Croix Foundation is proud to be taking all necessary steps to truly embody the 2019 theme for the Experience: ‘Feel St. Croix.’ With a commitment to emphasizing St. Croix’s special characteristics, St. Croix Foundation is expanding partnerships with community stalwarts Bohlke International Airways, balter restaurant, and Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits, as well as forming new friendships with community revitalizers like the Caravelle Hotel and Casino.

As the Foundation seeks to really ground the FWE this year, two of the Experience’s events will serve culinary delights that are 100% locally sourced. And with additional surprises in store, St. Croix Foundation is certain that this annual celebration of the people, land, culture, and food of St. Croix will be like never before.

As with every year, 2019’s weekend event series will consist of an impressive roster of the finest vendors, local chefs, and nationally and regionally acclaimed guest chefs. Chefs will participate in events that range from relaxed to elegant options for foodies and wine connoisseurs alongside guest wine makers and spirit companies that will pair their expertise at each event. The 2019 schedule of events is as follows:

 Thursday, April 4

bond @ balter – A special invitation only reception, an evening of celebrity chefs, exclusive spirits, and delectable appetizers await sponsors, partners, chefs, vintners, and media at balter restaurant and creates the perfect ambiance for active, passionate philanthropists to meet and mingle. 4:30 PM Thursday.

Friday, April 5

Cork & Fork – The cosmopolitan Cork & Fork Dinner returns for 2019!

Always with a renowned chef. Always in a stunning private home. Always the height of elegance and intimacy. Call for location. 6 PM Friday

Sunset BBQ – Our much-loved Sunset BBQ is back as well for 2019! Bring the family out to Frederiksted Pier for the perfect Crucian sunset and finger-licking BBQ treats from some of St. Croix’s finest restaurants and eateries. With live music, a raffle, and plenty of room to roam, there’s something for everyone! 6 PM Friday

Saturday, April 6

Wine in the Warehouse – Let your cup overflow with the spirit of philanthropy and raise a glass (or several!) to community. Enjoy Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits’ fine wines, appetizers, and live music in Bohlke International Airways’ exclusive jet hanger. Grab your passports and prepare your taste buds for a flavor journey that you won’t want to miss, because no matter how far you may fly, on St. Croix, you’re always home. Wine sales available. 6 PM Saturday

Sunday, April 7

Gourmet Vintner Dinner – Join us and one of St. Croix’s favorite culinary artists, award winning Chef Digby Stridiron. This lively and community-centric dining experience pairs fabulous wines with a 5-course meal and includes a live auction. This event is not to be missed! 6 PM Sunday

According to St. Croix Foundation President, Deanna James, “Despite the ever-present consequences of the aftermath of the two Category 5 Hurricanes that ravaged the Virgin Islands over a year ago, the Foundation, with the generous support of corporate partners and individuals, is committed to demonstrating real civic leadership.” James concluded, “We are also proud to report that every sponsorship dollar raised and the revenues received from this event are leveraged many times over and reinvested into the community to support the Foundation’s operations as well as its territory-wide mission of social, economic, and educational transformation.”

SCF is a hardworking organization, and the FWE is the one time each year, when the Organization reaches out and asks for the community’s support! Since its founding in 1990 following the devastation of Hurricane Hugo, St. Croix Foundation has been a visionary of social change and community development, working with community partners to challenge the status quo in order to address key priority areas including community and economic development, education reform, public safety, and nonprofit development.

In line with the vision of its founders, (late community stalwarts Mr. Philip Gerard and Mr. Michael Neuburger), the Foundation continues to operate as a place-based hybrid-foundation, serving as a grantmaker as well as a project manager and direct service provider. One of the most important components of SCF’s work is providing fiduciary and fiscal sponsorship services to over 220 grassroots efforts, organizations, and charitable initiatives throughout the Territory. Today, the Foundation has expanded its programmatic portfolio to include providing support to a growing number of St. Croix’s nonprofits through its Nonprofit Consortium, a project which provides capacity building, technical support, and advocacy on the local and national stage. In total, over the past 28 years, the Foundation has been a conduit of $41 million private and public sector dollars invested into the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The St. Croix Food & Wine Experience provides operating support to the Foundation so that it can continue doing all of its community-building work. Made possible by countless chefs, volunteers, corporate citizens, and loyal attendees, the Foundation is especially grateful for the Experience’s Platinum Sponsors including the Virgin Islands Department of Tourism, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits, and the Caravelle Hotel and Casino; Gold Sponsors, Crucian Point, William and Kay Cook, and First Bank as well as valued Sponsors Bohlke International Airways, balter Restaurant, the Buccaneer, ProTouch Communications, Braata restaurant, The Virgin Islands Daily News, Crucian Gold, St. Croix Tourism, Tropical Shipping, and CULTIVATE Studio.

Residents and corporate citizens interested in directly supporting work that addresses root causes and approaches rebuilding after the hurricanes through an equitable, community-based lens, are invited to become sponsors of The Experience.

For information about, tickets, events, and sponsorship visit https://www.stxfoodandwine.com or call the St. Croix Foundation office at 340-773-9898.

CONTACT: DEANNA JAMES, PRESIDENT
(TEL)340.773.9898, (EMAIL) DJAMES@STXFOUNDATION.ORG

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
FEBRUARY 12, 2019

St. Croix Foundation for Community Development will be hosting its 3^rd Annual Philanthropy Retreat February 14^th thru February 17^th on the island of St. Croix. The invitation-only retreat will connect National and International Senior Philanthropy Executives with Board and Staff of the Foundation’s Nonprofit Consortium partners.  This year’s convening will feature Executives from Annie E. Casey Foundation, the Council on Foundations, the Southeastern Council of Foundations, the Association of Black Foundation Executives, TIDES Foundation, Global Giving, and Partnership for Southern Equity.

As a vehicle for supporting St. Croix Foundation’s Nonprofit Consortium, which is an almost 3-year-old association of approximately 35 St. Croix nonprofits, the retreat will afford national funders insight into the inherent challenges and assets of St. Croix’s social and economic landscape.

The theme of this year’s convening is Civic Excellence: Demonstrating Impact in Rural & Isolated Communities. Over the course of 3 days, nonprofits and Foundation Executives will convene around issues focused on diaspora philanthropy, social equity and nonprofit capacity building. The weekend will also include an island tour and a visit to the Agricultural Fair.

According to St. Croix Foundation President, Deanna James, “The retreat is an unprecedented opportunity for the Foundation to highlight our Consortium of Nonprofits and thank them for the incredible contributions they are making to nurture a healthier St. Croix community. When we launched our Nonprofit Consortium in 2016, we affirmed our commitment to building capacity and rallying partners around strategic collaborations and collective impact. Initially opened to all St. Croix nonprofits, to date approximately 35 organizations have committed their time and effort to being active members of the Consortium. The retreat is the Foundation’s opportunity to build a broader network of philanthropic partnerships in support of the work of St. Croix’s civic sector.”

To date, the Foundation has hosted over 15 Foundation Executives at past convenings. As a result of the first retreat, despite the lack of national media attention on the impact of the 2017 storms on the island of St. Croix, the Foundation had already secured several fierce champions on the mainland who knew St. Croix’s nonprofit landscape and knew the passion and potential of our civic leaders to meet the immediate needs of the most vulnerable residents in our community.

Leveraging this work, in the fall of 2017, the Foundation applied for and was awarded its first major grant from W.K. Kellogg Foundation to support nonprofit organizations on St Croix in their recovery efforts. That Kellogg grant, along with funding secured from other national foundations after the hurricanes, translated into over $700,000 in grants to St. Croix nonprofits.

Since hosting its first philanthropy retreat in February of 2017, exactly 7 months before Hurricanes Irma and Maria, the Foundation has developed some of its most enduring national partnerships. And, despite years of isolation from most national philanthropic organizations which have historically regarded the U.S. Caribbean as either irrelevant or international, St. Croix Foundation (assisted by the media attention from 2017’s hurricanes) is working tirelessly to change that trend.

Additionally, in March 2018, St. Croix Foundation was invited to become a member of the Southeastern Council of Foundations (SECF), which boasts a network of over 300 foundations serving the U.S. Southeast. SCF is, today, the first and only territorial foundation to be a member of SECF.

“Taking into consideration the demographic realities of St. Croix, with far greater needs and fewer economic resources, local nonprofits have had to rely on dwindling local government funding and fatigued corporate donors,” James stated. “St. Croix Foundation has become a steadfast advocate for the territory’s Nonprofit Sector, who we believe is essential in counterbalancing stretched and struggling governmental systems.” As a placed based operating foundation, St. Croix Foundation’s work is focused on holistic community development, providing not just grantmaking but broad-based support to nonprofits to allow for greater impact.

St. Croix Foundation extends its sincere gratitude to its local, national, and international partners who have made this convening possible. For more information on the Retreat or on how to support the Foundation’s community rebuilding and Nonprofit Development efforts, please call the Foundation’s office at 340.773.9898 or visit their website at www.stxfoundation.org.