Youth-Led Hurricane Philanthropy & Service - USVI

One of the highlights of the Fall was partnering with All Hands and Hearts – Smart Response (AHAH) to assist them with the work they are performing to repair and refurbish the Alvin McBean Recreation Park on St. Thomas. McBean Park is located in a residential neighborhood and includes a baseball field, tennis and basketball courts, community fieldhouse, and a playground. Suffering extensive damage from Hurricanes Irma and Maria, the facilities have been largely unusable to the surrounding neighborhood, which lacks safe gathering and play spaces for the community.

The CFVI Junior Angels program contributed funds to support repair work, and also served as volunteers in repainting portions of the Recreation Park. While the entirety of the work to be done on the Recreation Park is not yet complete, the Junior Angels made a huge impact on the process and are excited to return to continue contributing their time to the project.

In addition to their individual site placements, the Junior Angels have also volunteered as a group at various sites and community events over the past few months, including a Red Ribbon Week Celebration held by the Boys & Girls Club of St. Thomas, an elementary school’s Halloween Fright Night event, beach clean-ups, senior center, fundraising run, and a charitable soup kitchen.

• JA_photos_fall_2018.pdf (PDF)
  

Our Jr. Angels were eager to resume activities after summer break! Following a delayed start to the school year (lingering effects of Hurricane school closures/campus sharing), our 17 Jr. Angels have been placed at 6 sites in St. Thomas and St. Croix, completing over 120 community service hours. In addition, Jr. Angels have volunteered at various community events and are currently planning a special holiday outreach project that will support one or more local public schools. The Jr. Angels have also begun to learn about philanthropy and the role they can play, even as young people. Future activities will focus on directly engaging youth in philanthropy activities, including reviewing proposals and making grant decisions.