Dec. 22, 2002 – The board of directors of the Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands (CFVI) has launched its 2003 Angel campaign to help fund next year's ambitious programs. In 2002 almost 300 members of the community supported the foundation by becoming "Angels" and committing to annual dues of $500 or more.
With the support of CFVI Angels, the foundation provided more than $250,000 in grants, scholarships and services to children and families on St. Thomas, St. Croix, and St. John.
CFVI focuses on programs and projects that show promise of developing into longer-term responses to the needs of children and families in the Virgin Islands. Among the Community Foundation's accomplishments in 2002 were:
— Production of the third annual "Kids Count" report for the Virgin Islands: "Our Children Now! Where Is Our Commitment?" The "Kids Count" reports are used to secure better futures for all our children.
— Presenting $5,000 in "Silverbells and Cockleshells Awards" to nine organizations working on behalf of our most vulnerable children and families.
— Awarding $35,000 in 57 mini-grants for new and creative projects that benefit children and families.
— Awarding $20,000 in 43 Teacher Grants for innovative projects in the V.I. public schools, through the Anderson Family Fund for Education.
— Providing 39 grants to families from the Rapid Response Fund for one-time emergency needs for which no other funding is available.
— Giving out more than $30,000 in scholarships to 27 Virgin Islands students. Awards were made from the Anna Greene Walsh Scholars Fund; Artrelle M. Wheatley Scholarship Fund; Margate Management LLP; J. Epstein Virgin Islands Fund; Charaf Family Fund; Theodore E. Sharp Fund; Peter Gruber Foundation Fund; and Miller Properties.
— Funding the fourth Citibank Learning Center with state-of-the-art computers at the Savan Community Center in St. Thomas.
— Continued the Fatherhood Collaborative with a series of "Fathers' Nights Out" for men to share their fatherhood experiences, recreational outings for dads and their children, media programs, a visit by author Jonetta Rose Barras to discuss her book, "Whatever Happened to Daddy's Little Girl."
— Sponsored the second annual Laws of Life essay contest at Charlotte Amalie and Ivanna Eudora Kean high schools through the Peter Gruber Foundation Fund at CFVI. This national initiative is based on core values — the universal "laws" that transcend religions, cultures, and national borders. In 2003 the program will be expanded to include Central and Education Complex high schools on St. Croix.
— Published the fourth annual "Community Services Directory," a comprehensive listing of agencies working on behalf of children, youth and families.
CFVI's Angels make it possible for the Foundation to pursue its core objectives and to help donors with their special charities. For more information about CFVI and the Angels campaign, call 774-6031 or click here for complete details and a link to an application form.
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