Rebuilding St. Croix, USVI

The spirit and resiliency of a people is most strongly on display in the aftermath of a disaster—especially after five years! As we continue to recover from Hurricanes Irma and Maria, in the midst of an on-going pandemic disaster, the unity of our community continues to be vital towards the achievement of a clear and concerted vision of a recovered and resilient St. Croix, USVI.

Brief History of the LTRG:

The St. Croix Long-Term Recovery Group (LTRG) is a cooperative body that is made up of representatives from faith-based, non-profit, government, business and other organizations working within St. Croix to assist individuals and families as they recover from Hurricane Maria. 

The goal of the LTRG is to unite recovery resources with community needs in order to ensure that even the most vulnerable in the community recover from the disaster.  The LTRG officially formed under the fiscal sponsorship of the St. Croix Foundation for Community Development in 2015. Under the guidance of FEMA and the American Red Cross, members formed committees to carry out the work of the organization.

In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic forced us into some changes in how we continued to recovery. We lost the opportunity to bring in volunteer teams to rebuild homes. Government programs focused on recovery came to halt as we weathered the pandemic storm. Despite these challenges, we were able to pivot to create new partnerships, stronger community engagement, capacity strengthening in technological communication, increased coordination with government agencies, and a renewed commitment from our member organizations to strive for a fully recovered island—and an island that will be prepared for the next disaster while coping with one we could not predict.

Brief History of the VI VOAD:

Virgin Islands Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VI VOAD), formed in June of 2014, encompassed four islands in the USVI Territory. After formation, each island proceeded to coordinate their own emergency management action planning, however, there was a communication breakdown between the islands and with National VOAD (NVOAD). 

After Irma/Maria in 2017, the Long Term Recovery Groups (LTRGs) united territorially in emergency response, recovery & resiliency efforts. As recovery funding has diminished, the LTRGs are transitioning to Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD), under the 501c3 umbrella of the VI VOAD and in compliance with NVOAD. 

Today:

We are officially folding the STX LTRG into the STX COAD on December 31, 2022.

We continue to engage in a formal membership campaign, asset-mapping of our 150+ member organizations to better understand where resources are located throughout the island, a seat at the Virgin Islands Emergency Management Council table, trained members to staff Points of Distribution Centers in times of crisis, and offered volunteers to work emergency shelters.

One of our main focus areas as the VI VOAD will be on community-based resiliency hubs. These hubs would allow for communities to survive in the immediate days following a disaster while we await additional outside relief—all in conjunction with the COADs on our sister islands and our government partners.

With all of this, we have not forgotten those in our community who are not back to a “new-normal” from the storms of 2017. We still see the suffering of those without homes or a roof on their home almost five years after the storms. Through a grant through the VI VOAD, we are currently still rebuilding three homes for seniors on St. Croix. And we will continue to seek ways to help those in still in need.

We are grateful for the support of the St. Croix Foundation for Community Development through their fiscal sponsorship and to our wonderful partners at GlobalGiving and Island Spirit Fund for their continued financial support and their commitment to continue this support into 2021.

With gratitude for allowing us to serve the St. Croix community and our sister islands, the staff of the St. Croix Long Term Recovery Group:

Jay Rollins, Executive Director for National & Regional Relationships 

Delia Richardson, Executive Director for Community Engagement 

Christina Joseph, Executive Assistant 

Highlights from this reporting period:

• Proposal submitted by DCMP to Inclusivity resulted in grants of $21,000 & $17,000 respectively as duplication of benefits payment for 2 clients to continue their eligibility for Envision Tomorrow program. 

• Three applicants, ineligible for any of the existing post hurricane home repair programs, were approved through ERD for funding to complete repairs on their homes.  One of which is now underway, with all scheduled for completion by the 1^st qtr of 2023.

• One DCM assisted a client with legal issues involving her home and the will her partner whose language was unclear, preventing her eligibility for Envision Tomorrow.  Issues were eventually resolved & client’s eligibility resumed.  

• Kitchen repairs were completed for another client with LTRG Unmet Needs funding

• Advocacy and meetings in reference to Envision Tomorrow enrollees was conducted with a St. Croix Senator, promising to investigate roadblocks stalling repair implementation and other potential resources.  

• Re-tarping, accomplished with funds from the LTRG, rescued 8 DCM clients who were experiencing roof leakage.  Very assistive for clients, even though only a temporary fix.  

• Home visitation, outreach and follow up by Disaster Case Managers were an invaluable resource as reported by clients and other partners in finding solution for home owners seriously impacted by Hurricanes Irma & Maria.

Collaborations:

• Community First Health and Wellness Day - Team of 7 volunteers, touched approximately 200 community members.

• Midre Cummings Children Park Rebuild Project - Team of five volunteers contributed  six hrs.

• FEMA Faith Leaders / Community Preparedness Trainings, impacted a bit over 60 community/faith leaders .

• Courses taught with FEMA: OPEN - Organization Preparing For Emergency Needs, You Are The Help Until Help Arrives, Individual and Family Preparedness, and Community Preparedness Ambassador Initiative.

• Salvation Army - STX building dedication with Administrator Samuel Sanes.

• Dept of Human Services - 200 TARP distribution.

Disaster Preparedness Community Presentations:

• Six Presentations with first school delivery, 110 community members and staff impacted

CONCLUSION:

We are excited about the transition that lies ahead and ready to take on new challenges to insure that the USVI is prepared for anything that comes our way.