Virgin Islanders have, through Friday, to vote for local organizations and nonprofits to receive $75,000 in noncompetitive grant funding through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s “Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaking Program.” From 2024-2027, the program is offering $40 million in grants to environmental justice projects and programs in New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Residents can vote for up to 10 projects within their own state or territory.
In a press release, Juan F. Luis Hospital called for votes to fund new electrocardiogram — or EKG — machines.
“EKG machines are vital in modern health care, enabling the detection and diagnosis of serious heart conditions, including arrhythmias, heart attacks, and other cardiac abnormalities,” according to the statement. “These machines play a critical role in early diagnosis, allowing for timely interventions that can save lives and prevent severe complications.”
In updating its technology, the hospital said it aims to: provide faster and more accurate diagnoses; improve heart health monitoring; and support preventive care to reduce long-term health care costs and risks.
My Brother’s Workshop, a nonprofit that provides territory youth with mentoring, counseling, education, job training and job placement, is up for two funding opportunities. The first would allow the nonprofit to purchase an electric vehicle and charging stations — affording the organization more resiliency in the event of natural disasters. The second would fund a community garden the nonprofit is developing to minimize water runoff on its property, enhance soil health and promote sustainable agriculture.
Through the latter, My Brother’s Workshop said it would build sections for different community groups like schools, seniors or other nonprofits to maintain gardens and produce food for use in its industrial kitchen, according to an MBW press release.
Other local projects include: Love City Strong’s Resilient Housing Initiative; development of an app to track decentralized composting systems; afterschool programs and educational initiatives; and more.
Votes can be cast after registering here.
