The grassroots organization Beyond Visions Foundation was created to help people in low-income situations empower and help themselves make changes for better lives.
The founders wanted to help people of diverse cultures help themselves and enhance their quality of life while protecting the environment.
“Seven of us from all parts of the territory looked at the census, statistics, issues and what was happening in the Virgin Islands,”says Yvonne Petersen, executive director and a founder of the group back in 1997.
Beyond Visions provides resources for capacity building training, technical assistance, and grant services for non-profits.
Petersen says the focus of the foundation is on starting early with family literacy, youth staying in school, graduating, getting higher education, and getting a good job for a better life.
Programs are given on household and financial management. There are positive parenting, child,and family development programs.
“The family is the nucleus,” Petersen says.”We have to teach people to set goals and to think about more than daily living. There is a mindset we need to change.”
She says they are getting students to use critical thinking and decision making skills in after school and weekend educational programs.
In the summer BVF serves around 60 to 85 students in programs such as the Nature Explorers Club, where children learn how to protect the environment and St. Croix’s natural resources. The students incorporate photography and film making in a lot of theiractivities.
The club has gone to Sandy Point to view turtle nesting and hatching. Children from the Bethlehem Village and Profit Hills Public Housing communities, also known as “Harvey,” have the opportunity to go on monthly snorkel trips as recipients of a grant from Reef Jam.
The foundation’s St. Croix office and small resource center are located in the Bethlehem Village Housing Community. Students without a home computer come in shifts to do homework on one of six computers there. Adults canal so use the computers.There is a play room for children with toys, books, games, crafts and dolls.
Petersen says there is a real problem with truancy and asks for some assistance from the public for rewards such as gift certificates for students who attend class, behave in school, and get good grades.Parents are encouraged and will be rewarded for attending parenting classes on the importance of education.
“This is all done for the children,” Maria Morales, manager of the center says. “It is so rewarding to see the children who hardly have anything come here and be happy.”
She added she wishes they could have longer hours at the center.
The organization is funded by grants and donations and is governed by seven board members. Petersen works full time and there is one more part timer with Morales.
Further information can be obtained and donations made by visiting the website www.beyondvisions.org or calling 718-0284
