Changing the Lives of At-Risk Youth in St. Croix

Three weeks after the passing of Hurricane Maria, the Caterpillar Project was back up and running thanks to the support of a local business that donated a space. Having lost their classroom and all it’s contents Project Promise opted to focus on the trauma experienced by their participants and recognized the need to bring some sense of normalcy to the Caterpillars and their families. Project Promise in the months following the storm opened up their doors to the siblings and friends of their participants and in the absence of school, provided much needed instruction and support.

In addition to tailoring our curriculum to focus on the healing from the emotional trauma of the storm, we were also instrumental in helping our families with their physical needs as well. We secured food, generators, clothing and supplies to help our families move forward after Maria. Project Promise also received funding that was able to assist our families with minor home repairs, purchase new furniture and secure necessities. Project Promise through monthly community service projects has been able to assist our community rebuild as well.

With the support of the Caterpillar Project, our Caterpillars and their families are well on the road to recovery. Despite the challenges of the past few months, our Caterpillars are continuing to grow in leaps and bounds. We now have three first time honor roll students and are happy to report that now have all A and B average students. We have since moved back to our home school, Lew Muckle Elementary School and are in the process of restocking our furniture and supplies. The Caterpillars are doing wonderful and happy to back at our home school. With support from donors will continue to impact our Caterpillars, community and our world.

Links:

• Our Website