Your United Way Helping to Build a Brighter Tomorrow
| YOUR UNITED WAY NEWS |
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| Volume 2, Number 2 June 2005 A quarterly publication of the United Way of St. Thomas-St. John • 340-774-3185 |
| Welcome New Volunteer Board Members!
The United Way of St. Thomas-St. John is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide leadership, stimulate generosity, promote volunteerism and allocate resources to make our commu-nity a better place to live. Formed in 1978, United Way of St. Thomas-St. John is governed by a 25-member board of local volunteers. Board members serve three (3) year terms.
The board of directors is also supported by local volunteers, who serve on nine (9) committees, each chaired by a board member. The committees include: Agency Membership and Venture Grant, Allocations and Agency Relations, Budget and Finance, Campaign, Pacesetters, Communications, Day of Caring, Long-range Planning and Capacity Building and Nominating. The Executive Committee includes the President, Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary and chairpersons of Campaign, Agency Membership, Long-range Planning and Communications Committees.
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Special Thanks to Continuing Board Members and Committee Volunteers!
Executive Committee
| Raymond Green |
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President |
| Adosha Francis |
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Vice President and Chair, Allocations Committee |
| Gershwain Sprauve |
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Treasurer |
| Donna DeJongh |
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Secretary |
| Ray Szymanski |
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Co-chair, 2006 Campaign |
| Rosalie Ballentine |
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Chair, Agency Membership / Venture Grant Committee |
| Linroy Freeman |
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Chair, Long-range Planning Committee |
| Robert “Bob” Austin |
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Chair, Communications Committee |
Continuing Board Members
| Kevin Bailey |
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William Lambert |
| Alicia Boatwright |
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Margaret Moore |
| Ermin Boschulte |
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Cornel Williams |
| Elba Guerra, DDS |
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Juanita Young |
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Rosalie Javois
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Bob Austin, Chair
Communications Committee
Founder of Austin Advertising and
President of Moxie Marketing |
Rosalie Ballentine, Chair
Agency Membership
Venture Grant Committee
An attorney in private practice |
Beverly Chongasing, Chair
Pacesetters Committee
Vice President of Human Resources
Innovative Communications Corp. |
Cecile de Jongh, Member
Budget and Finance Committee
2006 Campaign Committee
Manager Financial Trust Company |
Richard Doumeng, Member
2006 Campaign Committee
Past President St. Thomas-St. John
Hotel and Tourism Association
Owner, Bolongo Bay Beach Club |
Jeri Flood, Member
Communications Committee
2006 Campaign Committee
Former Vice President Marriott Corp
and Director of Consumer Marketing for
the Washington Post |
Cheryl George-Chance, Co-Chair
2006 Campaign Committee
2000-2003 UW Employee
Campaign Coordinator
Office Manager Belgravia Partners |
Hugh “Pete” Mabe, III, Member
Agency Membership, Venture Grant
and Pacesetters Committees
Former U.S. Attorney, Senior Litigation
Counsel and Dept of Justice trial attorney |
Shawn Raimer, Member
Communications Committee
Sales Rep. Caribbean Auto Mart
St. John Resident |
Peter F. Van Schie, Member
Allocations and Agency Relations
Budget and Finance Committees
Vice President Bank of Nova Scotia |
United Way St. Thomas-St. John
Salutes Member Agencies |
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| Your contributions to the United Way St. Thomas-St. John support vital human service agencies with proven service records of excellence in the U.S. Virgin Islands |
YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
Civil Air Patrol
Lt. Col. Clarence Hansby, 715-0394
This volunteer agency provides hands-on, first response assistance to our community in critical emergencies. Their youth program provides Aerospace Education and Training, teaching youth ages 12-18 to fly aircraft and develop leadership skills.
Downstreet Prople’s Youth in Action
Peya Howard, 777-1685
Downstreet operates one of the few after-school programs for youth ages 6 to 18. Teachers and college students volunteer as tutors Monday through Friday for the duration of the school year providing Math, Reading, Computer, Music Lessons – Piano & Voice and Arts & Crafts. Students are also mentored in conflict resolution and anger management.
Virgin Islands Council, Inc.
Boy Scouts of America
Charly Tinsley, 774-2752
Boy Scouts provides guidance, character, leadership, skill building and personal fitness training for boys 6 to 20 years of age. The National Scout Jamboree held once every four years is hosted at Fort A.P. Hill, Virgina, involving 40,000 young scouts in ten days of scouting activities. The St. Thomas Magens Bay Regatta and Annual Open Atlantic Blue Marlin Fishing Tournament raise funds for Boy Scouts.
V.I. Institute for Teaching and Learning, Inc.
Karen Gutloff, 777-7030
V.I. Institute operates three (3) major impact programs for youth ages 2 to 18 years. The official provider of the Mother Goose Reading Program, mothers and fathers read to children. The Health Connection Plus Program provides educational information about health to teach elementary school-aged youngsters how to manage their diets to prevent life-threatening illnesses such as diabetes and heart disease. The V.I. Institute is a key provider of chess boards, instructors and support to youth participating in the Chess in the Schools Program, where youth play chess at lunchtime in schools each day. Youngsters learn responsibility, leadership and develop critical thinking skills that help them succeed in school.
SUMMER PROGRAMS
Lutheran Reformation Summer Program
Ina Christian, 775-1022
This summer program is designed to stimulate and challenge academic abilities of youth ages 5 to 12. Engages more than 100 youth every summer in the three R’s -reading, writing and arithmetic as well as summer fun!
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St. Thomas Reformed Church
Summer Program
Pastor Jeff Gargano, 776-8255
This summer program welcomes youth ages 5 to 12 from diverse religious denominations, ethnic and socio-economic groups to enjoy quality summer experiences. Fun in the sun is combined with Bible study, arts and crafts and certified swimming instruction classes at Magens Bay. Every summer session is culminated by the Annual Camp Olympics, with participants competing for awards.
FOOD AND SHELTER
Catholic Charities of the Virgin Islands
Michael Akin, 777-8518
All are welcome to receive services provided by Catholic Charities. The staff and volunteers operate the only homeless shelter and three (3) soup kitchens offering daily meals for individuals and families on St. Thomas and St. John. Catholic Charities serves more than 40,000 meals per year in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Programs also offer a 6-week summer youth camp, provide counseling and outreach to homebound elderly and those suffering from mental illnesses.
Ebenezer Gardens
Lelia Felix, 776-7499
This picturesque and tranquil residential community provides independent living apartments for the elderly who choose to maintain their dignity and independence. This assisted living community offers far more than rent-subsidized housing. Residents enjoy a lifestyle that includes field trips to beaches and theatre performances, educational seminars by guest speakers and daily activities to stimulate the mind and support general good health.
Yellow Cedar Group Home
Ruth Warren, 774-4424
This agency has drastically improved the quality of life for developmentally disabled adults. Residents who suffer from mental retardation, Downs Syndrome or mental disability receive around-theclock care, supervision and instruction. Developmental instruction is given daily to improve verbal and written skills. Residents are also engaged in social and physical activities, such as walk-a-thons, food sales, arts and crafts. Residents regularly compete in the Special Olympics and win!
HEALTH & CRISIS INTERVENTION
American Red Cross
Priscilla Hintz, 774-0375
Most of us are familiar with and grateful for the Disaster Relief Services from this agency in times of peril such as hurricanes. American Red Cross is the first responder for one or more fires per week
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occurring in St. Thomas-St. John. They maintain an on-going program to provide emergency communication between members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families, who can secure information about their loved ones serving in harms way.
American Red Cross routinely provides training for citizens to assist them to save lives in case of individual health emergencies teaching CPR, HIV/AIDS education and First Aid. Water safety training is available for lifeguards, children and adults who complete certified Water Safety courses.
ACCESSIBLE TRANSPORTATION
Dial-A-Ride St. Thomas
Rosemary Sumas, 776-1277
This agency maintains and schedules vehicles that provide accessible transportation to disabled, elderly and physically-challenged residents and visitors to St. Thomas. Elderly residents are able to continue to live with some independence because Dial-A-Ride transports them to medical appointments, shopping malls and events. A major support to our tourism industry, Dial-A-Ride services have resulted in tourists returning to St. Thomas year-after-year because they are able to enjoy the beauty our island offers with planned, hospitable and accessible transportation. Dial-ARide St. Thomas recently celebrated 20 years of service to the community.
Dial-A-Ride St. John
Carole DeSenne, 693-9410
This agency has created a sense of community and developed an active seniors group while providing accessible transportation to disabled, elderly and physically-challenged residents and tourists visiting St. John. Activities such as tours to take digital photos of scenic St. John help participants to remain active and feel meaningful in life. Dial-ARide St. John seniors have assisted each other making house calls to help one another with chores, shopping and outreach for social support.
ADVOCACY & LEGAL SERVICES
Legal Services of the Virgin Islands
Richard Austin or Alex Dawson, 774-6720
Legal Services provides free legal service to lowincome persons who cannot afford an attorney, the elderly and victims of domestic violence. Clients and many non-English speaking residents receive help with family matters, such as divorce, guardianship and custody. Representation is provided in housing disputes involving tenant’s rights and eligibility for public benefits. Domestic violence cases, unfortunately on the rise in the Virgin Islands, are handled for victims and families.
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| The United Way of St. Thomas/St. John • Phone: (340) 774-3185 • www.unitedway.vi |
| Celebrate Agency Successes! |
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Tutor assists students in Downstreet People’s
Youth in Action After-school Program
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Kids enjoy annual Camp Olympics at
St. Thomas Reformed Church Summer Camp Program
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outh winners at Boy Scouts Annual Magens Bay Regatta
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How Your Dollars Help
Your dollars help hundreds of youths ages 2-18
to benefit from academic, fitness and
leadership development programs offered by
United Way Agencies in St. Thomas–St. John.
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School children spend lunch time competing in Chess
thanks to V.I. Institute for Teaching and Learning
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Yellow Cedar Residents competed and won
the Special Olympics!
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| More dollars are needed to support the agencies. Ask how to become a Pacesetter! |
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United Way St. Thomas-St. John Thanks Large
Employee Groups for 2005 Campaign
United Contributions given by employees at Westin Resort in St. John increased by more than 50% in our 2005 employee campaign! PriceSmart partnered with us to thank employees with an exclusive One Day Pass allowing employees to shop at member prices and receive raffle gifts! Employees went home with microwave ovens, CD player/boomboxes, Bar-B-Q grills and other great household items. Other major employee groups of 400 or more will have their special day!
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Westin Resort employees enjoyed exclusive One Day Pass Day sponsored by PriceSmart St. Thomas. Pictured left to right: John Donnelly, Manager PriceSmart, St. Thomas, Natalie Wiltshire, Human Resource Manager, Westin Resort St. John, and Javier Hernandez, Marketing Manager, PriceSmart
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Thanks To All Employee Campaign Contributors!
Agency We thank all employee groups for their support in 2005. Hundreds are being helped every day as a result of your generosity through contributions to the United Way St. Thomas-St. John. |
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United Way of St. Thomas/St. John
Nisky Center, Suite 220
St. Thomas, VI 00802
Phone: (340) 774-3185
Fax: (340) 774-3054
www.unitedway.vi
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| Join Us On These Dates! |
New Theme Coming Soon!
Changes Thanks to Bob Austin and Communications Committee members, United Way of St. Thomas-St. John will announce our new campaign theme soon! The committee has worked hard and media volunteers have helped to design new print collateral for this year. Many thanks to Elba Guerra, DDS who translated materials into Spanish!
DVD’s in the Works for Our Agencies
Many thanks to Lou Lambert of Lambert Media and Gloria Gumbs of Video Audio Communications for volunteering to shoot footage at events to produce DVDs for six (6) agencies this year. Agencies will use the DVDs to promote their services to the community. Hats off to Bob Austin for organizing it all!
Learn more about services from United Way Agencies
Let us help your company reduce absenteeism and lost time from work from medical emergencies. Request employee presentations to share counceling and outreach services in domestic violence, housing and elderly care. Call 774-3185
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| June 18 |
Yellow Cedar Walk-A-Thon
774-4424 |
| June 24 |
Ebenezer Gardens Food Sale
776-7499 |
| July 14 |
Agency Luncheon;
Lutheran Summer Camp
12 noon, 775-1022 |
| July 16 |
Yellow Cedar Food Sale
774-4424 |
| July 20-22 |
1st United Way Caribbean
Conference in Jamaica, W.I. |
| July 24-Aug 5 |
Boy Scouts Jamboree
774-2752 |
| July 29 |
Ebenezer Gardens Soup Sale
776-7499 |
| Aug 11 |
Agency Luncheon;
Civil Air Patrol
12 noon, 715-0394 |
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Care enough about your community to give.
“Your Islands, Your Home, Your United Way”
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