"Dreams" is a word you won’t find in Eunice Roberts’ vocabulary. She has plans. And she doesn’t waste time once those plans come to the surface.
Roberts launched VI Volunteers at Carnival last year with booth selling johnny cakes and drinks. She followed that dishing out vittles at the Agriculture and Food Fair last December, featuring chicken donated by Merchants Market.
The two booths, along with a lot of other fundraising. paved the way for the launch of V.I. Volunteers’ first free meals to the homeless on New Year’s Day at Market Square.
Roberts has strong feelings about the treatment of those without a roof over their head or a regular meal to eat.
"I don’t think the homeless are treated fairly," she says. "Regardless of where their problems started we don’t want them on the street uncared for."
Roberts has volunteered with local charitable organizations and is aware of the good work they do, but she wants to do it her way, filling in on holidays when they don’t serve meals.
"Right now, we feed people on the days when the Salvation Army is closed," she says, adding a significant, "for now."
This is just the start, she makes clear.
The group’s New Years spread fed upwards of 90 people, Roberts says.
"That was a start."
New Years was followed by meals of Martin Luther King Day, Presidents Day, and most recently, Good Friday.
And the donations come flying in.
"We distributed clothes and toiletries." she says. "The Frenchtown Community Center brought gallons and gallons of ice cream. Weeks Bakery brought breads. Even the St. Croix Red Cross helped. They sent over clothes."
Speaking on her lunch hour from her job at the 2010 Census, Roberts talked about her plans.
"It has always troubled me to see the homeless with nowhere to go and nothing to eat," she says. "I’ve thought about it for a long time. In 2005 or 2006, I can’t remember, I decided I had to do something."
Once the idea blossomed, Roberts set to work, organizing her concept into its present reality.
"It started with me," she says seriously. "I’m the mastermind."
Her plans are not modest.
"We are looking for a location for a soup kitchen," she says. "We actually want to have a mobile van, but we need a place to prepare the food. Right now, we cook at home and have to load it in cars to bring down to Market Square."
After the group sets up the mobile soup kitchen, Roberts has plans (not dreams) of a building.
"We want a place where people can come for the day, take a shower, get a meal. Lots of the homeless don’t have anything to do all day. The government says it’s closing some schools. We might be able to get one of those buildings."
And another thing, she says. "I want to start an after-school program where we teach Spanish and French. Children should have at least two languages. And I want to have a GED program.”
She is undeterred, relentless in her pursuit. As for the mobile soup kitchen, Roberts says, "I’ll be calling some of the auto dealers.”
"I put ads in the Island Trader and I get a lot of response, lots of donations, and volunteers," she says. "I get up early and I call people, always asking. It’s not easy."
Roberts was born on St. Thomas but raised in Guyana, where she still visits.
"I see people there with the same problems," she says. "After St. Thomas is set up, I want to bring the program there."
Meantime, she has taught herself how to draft documents necessary for setting up a not for profit.
"I taught myself from the Internet," she says. "It saves us the legal fees."
"I’m preparing a proposal to United Way," Roberts says. "I don’t know if they have any grants available now, but I’ll try."
She has a board of volunteers, including first vice-president Sen. Shawn-Michael Malone. Other members are: Avis Blackman, Carmen Christian, Elizabeth Elizee and Michael Woods.
Roberts, who works full-time while raising two youngsters, Jason, 2, and Jonelle, 5, knows exactly what she will do when she gets this project under way.
"Once we’re up and running," she says, "I’ll quit my job. I will be executive director. I’ve worked out the salary," she says, permitting herself a rare smile.
Roberts says the next event will be at Market Square Memorial Day May 31. Those who want to donate can call her at 998-9479.
