Home Blog Page 555

Public Invited To Learn About Virgin Islands Art Beginning Wednesday

Source staff
-
0
Public Invited To Learn About Virgin Islands Art Beginning Wednesday
Margy Kaye, Jeune´ Provost, Bill Pandos, Priscilla Hintz Rivera Knight, and David Knight Jr. meet at Bajo El Sol Gallery and Art Bar to discuss the upcoming series on Virgin Islands art, which is open to the public. (Source photo by Amy H. Roberts)

Artists, historians, and art curators are teaming up to present “Expressions of Heritage,” a free course about art in the Virgin Islands that begins at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday. Everyone is invited to attend the series of six weekly workshops, which will be held at the St. John School of the Arts.

“This series will explore different historical periods, art forms, and cultural movements, blending historical context with current contemporary creative practices,” said Priscilla Hintz Rivera Knight, one of the series organizers and presenters.

Knight will be leading off the series this Wednesday with an overview of the cultural diversity of the Caribbean, looking primarily at Indigenous, African, and European influences and traditional Creole art forms. Her presentation will include Taino artistic practices such as petroglyphs, ceremonial artifacts and symbolic motifs.

Each week presenters will delve into a different historical time period and relate it to works currently being produced. “From indigenous Taino artistry to the creative expressions of contemporary Virgin Islands artists, participants will uncover how art has been used to reflect identity, resilience, and cultural transformation,” Knight said.

Although each of the six sessions can be enjoyed on its own, participants are encouraged to sign up and attend all six workshops to “fully understand the historical trajectory of USVI art,” according to Knight.

Rock carvings near Reef Bay on St. John are some of the earliest forms of art created by Indigenous people. (Photo by Ken Wild. In Taino Today series by Amy H. Roberts)

The series is a collaboration between the St. John School of the Arts – now in its 44th year – and The Gri Gri Project, whose mission is “the creation of interpretive exhibitions, critical writing, events and archives related to the arts and cultural patrimony of the U.S. Virgin Islands and the Caribbean region.”

Taino Jade Frog, Salt River, St. Croix / (Photo by Søren Greve, The National Museum of Denmark)

The series is underwritten by Bill Pandos and his wife Margy Kaye who have a home on St. John. Pandos studied art first as an undergraduate and then as a graduate student at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. His career morphed from media and academic computing to arts administration, and he still serves on the boards of several arts organizations in the Midwest.

This past year Pandos became involved with the St. John School of the Arts and sponsored two arts classes – an advanced art course for youngsters and an art class for adults, according to Jeune´ Provost, executive director of SJSA.

As he learned more about the art produced in the Virgin Islands, Pandos began discussions with Priscilla Knight and her husband David Knight Jr., cofounders of The Gri-Gri Project and owners of Bajo El Sol Gallery and Art Bar. They worked together on the design of the course, which brings in presenters from St. Thomas, St. Croix, and St. John.

On Wednesday, Jan. 29, Priscilla Knight will discuss how the Virgin Islands and the Caribbean were documented by artists in the beginning of the modern period. Caribbean-born individuals who contributed to, countered and influenced the development of modern art movements and styles will be highlighted, she said. Her talk will include the significant presence of Camille Pissarro as a St. Thomas-born progenitor of Impressionism.

On Wednesday, Feb. 5, UVI arts instructor Shira Sofer will explore the legacy of enslaved Africans and their influence on Caribbean and Virgin Islands art forms, including paintings, sculptures, and spirituality, among other art forms. Sofer will highlight African cultural traditions and iconography in the creative expression of Virgin Islands artists.

LaVaughn Belle will be the featured presenter Wednesday, Feb 12. Belle became well-known in the Virgin Islands and throughout the world as a co-creator of “I Am Queen Mary,” “the groundbreaking monument that confronted the Danish colonial amnesia while commemorating the legacies of resistance of the African people who were brought to the former Danish West Indies,” according to Priscilla Knight.

Artists Jeannette Ehlers and La Vaughn Belle pose with a piece of their sculpture “I Am Queen Mary.”
In 2018, artists Jeannette Ehlers and La Vaughn Belle posed with a piece of their sculpture “I Am Queen Mary.” (Submitted photo)

Belle’s recent installation at the Cooper Hewitt Museum in New York City — The House that Freedom Built — also stirred attention.

La Vaughn Belle’s “The House That Freedoms Built” at the Cooper Hewitt Museum in New York. (Photo by LaVaughn Belle)

David Knight Jr. will lead the workshop held Feb. 19. His writing and photography have appeared in numerous publications, including ARC Magazine, The Caribbean Review of Books, Caribbean Beat, Caribbean Writer and Forgotten Lands. He is also the cofounding editor of Moko, a regional arts and literature journal based in the British and U.S. Virgin Islands.

The last workshop of the series, held Wednesday, Feb. 26., will be led by Monica Marin, a curator, artist, and educator from (and based in) St. Croix. She is currently the chief territorial curator for the Virgin Islands Libraries and Museums Department.

Artist Oceana James, For Gowie the Deceitful Fellow (Performance), 2016, (Photo by Sarene Brumant. Curated by Monica Marin)

The workshops will be held at the St. John School of the Arts, a five-minute walk from the ferry dock at Cruz Bay. Workshop participants who live on St. Thomas can easily catch the 6 p.m. ferry from Red Hook to attend the series.

Yvonne Lawrence Pogson Dies

Mat Probasco
-
0
Yvonne Lawrence Pogson Dies

The family of the late Yvonne Lawrence Pogson is saddened to announce her passing on Jan. 10.

Yvonne Lawrence Pogson

Yvonne was preceded in death by her mother, Iris Richards Battiste; father, Charles Lawrence; husband, Ronald Pogson Sr.; son, LeVar Pogson; sister, Debbie Lawrence Guadalupe, and brother, Austin Battiste Jr.

Yvonne is survived by her daughters, Sherilyn Pogson, Shermaine Pogson, and Yolanda Pogson; son, Ronald Pogson Jr.; sisters, Lorna Lawrence Johnson, Winifred C. Lawrence Beckles, Veronica Jenkins, Laurel Lawrence, Linda St. Louis, Rena Battiste, Marie Allison Battiste, Yvette Battiste Bermudez, Maureen Battiste; brother, Rhudel Lawrence Sr.; grandchildren, DeShaun Schneider, Yolissa Smith, Jaylen Smith; great-grandchild, DeShaun Schneider Jr.; godson, Ronald Watson; sister-in-law, Lynn Slater Lawrence; brother-in-law, Roy Beckles; nieces, Everlyn Beckles Peters, Barbara Lawrence, Natasha Guadalupe, Monique Jenkins, Keisha Woodley, Lisa Gardener, Cassandra Britton, Iris Battiste; nephews, Rhudel Lawrence Jr., Kenneth Lawrence, Ezekiel Johnson, Eleazar Johnson, Marzell Johnson Jr., George Parrish, Michael Parrish, Vernon Britton, Antonio Bermudez, Wilford Dean Jr., Arturo Guadalupe Jr., Matey Jenkins, Rashid Gardener; special friends, Dean Schneider, Bryan Cornelius; many other great nieces, great nephews, family and friends too numerous to mention.

Funeral Service is scheduled to be on Jan. 24 at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Orange Grove.  Viewing will begin at 10 a.m. and service at 11 a.m.  Interment will follow at the Kingshill Cemetery.

Professional Services Entrusted to Divine Funeral Services & Crematory, 340-773-0003.

Julia Concepcion-Ramos Dies

Mat Probasco
-
0
Julia Concepcion-Ramos Dies

The family of the beloved Julia Concepcion-Ramos are saddened to announce her passing on Jan. 2.

Proceeded in death by: Father: Thomas Concepcion; Mother: Hortencia Feliz; Husband: Margaro E. Ramos; Son: Anthonio Encarnacion; Daughter: Hortencia Pugh; She is survived by her Daughter: Generosa E. Centeno; Son(s): Rafael, Emilio Encarnacion,.; Sisters: Lucin Concepcion, Gloria Pemberton; Nieces: Daisy Lindquist-Pelovitz, Lyn Millie-debbie Lindquist, Candita Figueroa Meselina, Melisa Perberton-Rosin Ramos, Carmen Lydia Ventura; Nephew(s): Thomas Concepcion Jr.,Ray Encarnacion, Angel Gomez, Efrain Cintron, Nazario (fox) Navarro; Cousin: Izoraida Schuster; Grand Children:Yolanda and Amado Adams, Anthony Centeno, Johnny Brown Encarnacion, Tracy and Kelly Pugh, Nisha, Zenita, Emilio Jr., Rafael Jr. Encarncion,  Lisa and Sean Khadaran; Great Grand Children: Amilja, Amber Adams, Lena and Edwin Cruz, Jazlen Khadaran, Adriana Ana Lise Threat, Ze’leya Lindey, Jayce Meikel Encarnacion, Ken Hayden Barry, Maximiliano, Pugh, A’jhoni, Manuel Jalliza, Shelly, Genesis, Jahzeel Pugh; Special Friends: Ramirez, Felix, Ramos Encarnacion, Navarro, Anna Concepcion, Junnie Concepcion, Ventura Family, Justina, Andre; Son-in-Law: Juan Centeno, David Pugh; Daughter-in-Law: Zena Encarnacion, Elie Rivera; Brother-in Law: Delfin Encarnacion-Ramos; Other Relatives and Friends too numerous to mention.

Family / Friends Viewing: Monday, Jan. 20 @ Kingshill Funeral Home Chapel, Clifton Hill, 303 Kingshill St. Croix., viewing time: 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 21 @ El Triumpho, 549 Estate Mon Bijou St. Croix, Viewing 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Interment at Kingshill Cemetery.

 

Plaskett Saddened By Death Of Dr. Orville Kean

Mat Probasco
-
0
Plaskett Saddened By Death Of Dr. Orville Kean

Congresswoman Plaskett released the following statement expressing condolences on the passing of former President of the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI), Dr. Orville Kean:

“I was saddened to hear of the Dr. Kean’s passing. He is a trailblazer in Virgin Islands education, first as a teacher at his alma mater, the Charlotte Amalie High School, who then continued to hold multiple roles at the College of the Virgin Islands before eventually assuming the presidency in 1990. During his term, UVI saw tremendous growth and development in multiple areas, including the reaccreditation of the university and addition of new degrees, and the conceptualization of UVI’s Research and Technology Park. Dr. Kean’s excellent leadership also was the guiding light for the students, faculty and staff through both Hurricanes Hugo and Marilyn.

“I send my prayers for comfort and peace to his loved ones, family, and friends.”

Speech Given in January 2024: All About Dr. Martin Luther King’s Life & Times

Source staff
-
0
Speech Given in January 2024: All About Dr. Martin Luther King’s Life & Times
Martin Luther King Jr. addresses a capacity audience at Riverside Church, New York City on April 4, 1967.
Martin Luther King Jr. addresses a capacity audience at Riverside Church, New York City April 4, 1967.

All of us have Dr. King’s traits in us, but are we displaying them sometimes without recognizing that we are doing so? I haven’t done a survey or a percentage check to get those figures, but I am certain that the King’s Philosophy is a part of our lives and that we display it from time to time because we are human beings. Peace and love today and something else tomorrow seems to be the trend nowadays. Just how that will change is a reality and one that is somewhat hard to deal with even as I think of Hamas and Israel, Russia and Ukraine, the South and the North in America, and the wars that have taken place elsewhere over the years. So, what was Dr. Martin Luther King’s philosophy, and what did it really stand for in America, and can that philosophy be applied worldwide? Some important questions that need to be answered.

Without doubt, Dr. King’s philosophy was tied to the creation of opportunity, a vision for a brighter future, struggles for freedom utilizing a nonviolence approach, and workable plans for the utilization of the trauma and pain that he felt during his lifetime in a positive way. He never gave up even though his life was threatened on occasion, and in addition to that, he knew full well that some people didn’t like his peace and love and equality for all approach. The fear was, as I understand it, that Blacks, three-fifths of men would have power and rights and a say in what was going on and that could be dangerous. When you think about it Dr. King the professional really had no choice but to fight the good fight. He, like Malcolm X were fighters and while Dr. King fought for peace and justice utilizing a non-violent approach Malcolm X was more concerned with the ‘By Any Means Approach’ strategy.

So, what helped the influential Dr. King, the American Baptist Minister, Church Leader, Activist, and Political Philosopher to get on track and to stay there and to work towards ensuring that the equality of the races and civil rights initiatives and segregation matters were brought to the attention of the authorities? Maybe he had a sense of spiritual healing. Maybe he was made for the job even though he had been arrested on twenty-nine occasions for promoting the two Es, Equality and Equity.

If we know one thing about the King’s Philosophy it is that one can learn from the harm that one is going through or have gone through and be made stronger in the process. There is a place for harm in the world and we can all learn from that harm process.

Of course, Dr. King was not alone in the struggle. There were those like Rosa Parks for example, who refused to give up even her seat on a bus largely because she valued Dr. King’s contributions to the movement for equality and felt that it was well worth standing for while she was sitting. The lesson here folks is that sitting and standing both have value in them and can mean the same thing depending on one’s perspective of the process in motion. Of course, there were many other individuals who stood with Dr. King back in the day and who are still standing with him today. They too, have a dream, that someday, in the words of Dr. King, the renowned author, ‘All of God’s children, black and white will be seen as equals and will be able to play with each other in an atmosphere of harmony, peace and love’. Yes, folks ‘I have a dream is no longer a dream’ it is today’s reality and very much a work in motion. The Dr. Martin Luther King’s Civil Rights Committee honored him on his birthday on January 15th and this recognition is very much tied to his contributions and the fact that his legacy lives on.

During this birthday celebration of Dr. King at the General Buddhoe Park in Frederiksted, St. Croix (and by the way) General Buddhoe also fought for the ending of slavery, a full program of tributes from adults, and some youths took place in front of hundreds who had taken the time off to celebrate Dr. King’s life and to look at what he left behind. A conch shell blowing session, a march and rally and the singing of the good old Negro Spiritual ‘We Shall Overcome Someday’ was also placed on the agenda that was put together by the Civil Rights Committee which organized the annual event. Yes, it’s true that the fearless Dr. King was assassinated because of his beliefs and what he stood for. It is also true that he helped to shape America into what it is today with regard to the Civil and Human Rights of individuals. It is also true that he never gave up! It is also true that Racism still exists. And that those who share his views should not give up.

Of course, there is more to be done to include the showing that his struggle for Civil Rights and Human Rights had value and that they can be of help with regards to the shaping of a better world.

Are we getting the ‘All God’s Children Are Created Equal’ out to the far corners of the world? If not, we need to make this happen now. It is worth remembering that it is all in our minds and connected to the choices that we make daily with regards to each other.

So, what does the life and times of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. mean to Toastmasters to be and even current members of the organization? We know that his most powerful tool was the use of words and that he could really handle Table Topics well. We know that we can be just like him if we put our minds to it. We know that if there was a Toastmaster who knew how to set the pace that had to be, in my book, DTM Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. We can all learn from him!

—Abdul Ali lives on the island of St. Croix and is a WSTX talk radio host, journalist, and community activist 

Op-Ed: The Lounge | A Column for Men: Assets and Liabilities

Source staff
-
0
Op-Ed: The Lounge | A Column for Men: Assets and Liabilities

In his biweekly column, Langley Shazor speaks to issues important to men within the territory.

Traditionally, these two terms have been reserved for the financial sector. An asset is something that increases in value or provides a residual return on the initial investment. On the contrary, a liability is something that has the potential to cost you; whether by devaluation, continued investment with a low or negative return, or simply being something that you can’t do anything with. We sometimes associate these terms with people as well, although often hear it in the financial context. Remember the whole table conversation and how we had to rethink that? This is the same opportunity. We are also going to offer some other attributes for consideration to the human existence for you to think about.

When it comes to people, their perceived value to you must be housed in how they make you feel foundational. Someone who is good to you is the starting place of qualifying that placement in your life. You should want to be around them, enjoy the conversations and interactions, and be building good memories together. The next item for consideration is if they are good for you. Do they support your goals? Do they hold you accountable? Do they help you find solutions to issues? Do they challenge you to be better while empowering you to take the next steps? We have become so wrapped up in someone’s net worth, their salary, credit score, and material possessions that we completely miss much more important aspects of human interaction. Those who enhance your life by their presence, actions, mindset, as well as contributions, are those humanistic assets that increase in value.

We cannot speak to one without speaking to the other. A person that would be considered a liability does more than spend money frivolously. This person lowers your vibrational frequency. They are condescending, rude, inconsiderate, manipulative. They do not take your feelings into account; they feel more important in the relationship. These types of people will push you to your absolute limit to elicit a response and then pretend to be surprised at the reaction. In more extreme circumstances, they will play victim to try and slander your name, ruin your reputation, or even attempt to have you arrested. This person is a threat to your freedom and your very existence. This relationship is draining, debilitating, and costing you everything. The definition of a liability in that context. This isn’t reserved to romantic relationships; plutonic, social, and professional are not immune to this type of behavior.

There is another aspect that we must explore when it comes to the concept of assets and liabilities: your habits. Everything from your daily routine to your entertainment choices, to your regular hobbies and interests, to even your self-perception must be evaluated. We do not like to admit that we are often our own worst enemy. Accountability is also realizing that some of what we have endured and recovered from was our doing. It is also understanding that we are faced with the opportunity to change the now and, ultimately, the future.

Asset management, when it comes to us, is a fancy way of saying growing up, maturing, or developing. Philosopher Rene Descartes famously said, “I think, therefore I am”. This phrase is deeper than simply the recognition of being sentient, having the capacity to think critically, creatively, and abstractly. It also implies that what you think influences who you are. The Bible says in Matthew 12:34, “…for the mouth speaks what the heart is full of”. What is significant about this is that the heart gets filled with thoughts. Those thoughts are assets when they are propelling us to become better. Positive thoughts create positive attitudes, behaviors, and outcomes. It all starts with you. I understand that sometimes, things will happen that can throw you off. However, you can still take those thoughts captive and redirect the energy. I have had to learn to do this myself, take a moment to breathe (quite literally), assess whether my reaction (not my feelings) is warranted, and calm down so I can think clearly. I have spoken about verbal affirmations frequently, because I know they work. So, whatever you need to tell yourself to turn “that frown upside down,” you do it, and as often as you need to.

Habits also include the places you frequent as well as how that fits into your overall routine. This is a priority evaluation. Your routine can set the tone for your day and your plans, as well as keep you bound to poor decisions. If you lack structure in your day, start there. Healthy habits are a foundation to creating a high quality of life. As mentioned, I believe that creating a routine/schedule will assist in turning poor practices into value-added activities. Practice creates habits and habits create culture, the culture then becomes part of your character. This is part of the change in thinking to transform how you perceive yourself and the world around you. If there are specific venues that keep you from the pursuit of the best version of yourself, they are liabilities. Change where you go as often as you need to change who you are surrounded by.

I would like to recommend a book that is an easy read, and I think anyone who reads this column, follows me on social media, or is trying to take steps toward betterment can benefit from. “As a Man Thinketh” by James Allen is short but profound. Originally published in 1903, this self-help book lays the foundation of the introduction to the power of thought and how it affects every part of our lives. This can be found on eBay, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Books-a-Million, just to name a few. If you read it, reach out to me. I would love to have a discussion and hear your thoughts.

Langley “Casual-Word” Shazor is a poet, author, publisher, entrepreneur, public speaking coach, podcast host, and pastor who is an advocate for youth and men. His goal is to enlighten, empower, and liberate those who are silenced, marginalized, and enslaved to self-destructive thoughts and behaviors.

Visit thecasualword.com.

 

Editor’s Note: Opinion articles do not represent the views of the Virgin Islands Source newsroom and are the sole expressed opinion of the writer. Submissions can be made to visource@gmail.com. 

Diabetes Care Gets Ready To Hit the Road

Source staff
-
0
Diabetes Care Gets Ready To Hit the Road
Dr. Julia Sheen, V.I. Diabetes Center of Excellence, exits the nonprofit’s new mobile health van Saturday on St. Croix. (Source photo by Kit MacAvoy)

The V.I. Diabetes Center of Excellence (VIDCOE) is ramping up efforts to help Virgin Islanders treat and manage diabetes in what Executive Director Dr. Julia Sheen called the Diabetes Mobile Health Initiative.

To aid in those efforts, VIDCOE unveiled a newly renovated mobile health unit complete with an intake area and exam rooms. The nonprofit also plans to install a telemedicine cart and it acquired a wheelchair-accessible passenger van to help transport patients to VIDCOE’s brick-and-mortar location in La Grande Princesse, St. Croix.

Drivers Terence Aaron, right, and George Antonio, left, get familiar with the mobile unit’s features Saturday in Sunny Isle. (Source photo by Kit MacAvoy)

Sheen, who is a former commissioner of the V.I. Health Department said the initiative will allow the nonprofit to bring the same services it provides at its La Grande Princesse office to rural and underserved parts of the big island. Sheen said VIDCOE is focused on reducing A1C — a measure of blood glucose levels — for patients who have uncontrolled diabetes and reaching people who have diabetes but who were never diagnosed.

“So that’s really important, and especially because 16.6 percent of our population have diabetes,” she said. Sheen said the V.I. Health Department recently released a report that identified areas in the territory with high prevalence of diabetes, giving the mobile unit subdivisions to focus on.

Medical equipment hangs on the wall of one of the mobile unit’s examination rooms. (Source photo by Kit MacAvoy)

“Our goal for now is to be in the community once a week,” Sheen said, adding that the nonprofit has already had requests for them to visit eldercare homes. The unit will also make an appearance at events like Agrifest and jump ups. “We plan to be out and about, serving the community and trying to reach those that are either out of control or people that don’t even know they have diabetes.”

Dr. Donna Christensen, former Delegate to Congress, sits on VIDCOE’s board of directors. Christensen said the kind of education provided by the nonprofit hasn’t always been available to Virgin Islanders — “especially not in one place.”

“You have to go to an office here, an office there,” she said.

VIDCOE also acquired a wheelchair-accessible passenger van to help transport patients to their brick-and-mortar location in La Grande Princesse. (Source photo by Kit MacAvoy)

Sheen added that VIDCOE is striving to create a “medical home” for people with diabetes where they can receive all of the services they need under one roof and, eventually, partner with the V.I. Health Department and local health care providers so that “when you come to our center, you’re getting all of your needs met — as opposed to going all over to … have those appointments.”

Sheen lauded Del. Stacey Plaskett for securing funding through Congressionally-designated Community Project Funding money. The mobile unit was restored and designed for VIDCOE by medical solutions company Lifeline Mobile.

On Saturday, Lifeline’s Ken Guse gave two of the mobile unit’s new drivers a rundown of the vehicle.

“I was interested because I have a military background — concerning operating heavy vehicles and operating heavy equipment — and I think it’s a good help for the community,” said Terence Aaron. “So I think this will help the community a whole lot concerning diabetes and making sure that the community gets what they need to get better.”

“It’s a very durable vehicle — works very well, and I’m looking forward to operating it,” he added.

Native Crucian Dacia P. Hastings Proctor Releases Book at Undercover Books on STX

Source staff
-
0
Native Crucian Dacia P. Hastings Proctor Releases Book at Undercover Books on STX

Dacia P. Hastings Proctor, also known as “Dr. Dacia, TheTalkDr,” officially released her book “Life after the Pandemic: 7 Tips for Coping Emotionally in an Uncertain World” at Undercover Books located in Gallows Bay, St. Croix.

Dacia P. Hastings Proctor at Undercover Book in Gallows Bay Friday. (Photo courtesy Dacia P. Hastings Proctor)

Hastings Proctor, president and CEO of DHP Consulting Services, PC, was present at the release. A native crucian, Hastings Proctor was born and raised on the island of St. Croix, where she graduated from St. Croix Central High School. After high school, she left to pursue her education on the mainland, where she gained a doctorate in management and organizational leadership from the University of Phoenix. She also holds a master’s degree in social work and a Bachelor of Science Degree in psychology. She currently practices as a psychotherapist, speaker, author, consultant and life coach.

“The pandemic has brought us so many difficulties, some 40 million people are dealing with anxiety today. When you think about what that means it means that people that are walking next to you are struggling and everyday day life brings us even more,” said Hastings Proctor.

She said the book was a labor of love. “It meant a lot for me to be able to pour my knowledge into this book so that people understand that they have resiliency right within them. They don’t have to run around and ask themselves, ‘What am I going to do next?’ ‘What’s going to happen because this is a way to find that anchor?’” Hastings Proctor said.

The book is very important from a cultural perspective and Hastings Proctor said this is something that she did not grow up with. “We do not go to a professional to talk with. That’s the worst cultural myth that we can allow to absorb within our brain because it is important for us to talk about the struggles we are going through because someone else may need to hear your story,” Hastings Proctor said.

Because of the title, Hastings Proctor said that most people think it’s just a reflection on the pandemic, but it has a lot to do with the uncertainty of the world today and how people find ways to cope. “Post-pandemic people are going through so many difficulties, not just in their emotional well-being, but experiencing fear about tomorrow and how do I deal with all the things that are happening before their eyes, things they’ve never experienced before and it’s messing with their mental health and leading them in a place where they do not feel like they can find a way to cope,” she said.

Supporters had the opportunity to meet and receive a signed copy of the book from the author, Dacia P. Hastings Proctor. (Photo courtesy Dacia P. Hastings Proctor)

Some of the topics the book discusses are managing emotions, stress, mindset and that your faith can be an anchor in times of stress and distress. “A lot of people grew up using their faith as a way to cope but have moved away from it for various reasons so it brings you back to a place of remembering that your faith can also be an anchor to help you to cope with things you have no control over,” she said.

With suicides being in the news more often the Source asked Hastings Proctor her thoughts on suicide. She said, “One of the things I say when I talk to people is that suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem. Often your mind makes you think that the problem you are going through is never going to go away, that it is permanent. So, you find that you use this thing called suicide as a coping mechanism, but you must remember once you choose suicide, there is no coming back from that. Your problems are not permanent, they are temporary, it just feels that way.”

Hastings Proctor recommends that if you are going through something, find someone to talk to. “If you are not ready to go to a therapist or a counselor or somebody that can help you, don’t keep it inside. Your silence is deadly. Even people who are in your life should know the warning signs. So, for all of us, every single one of us needs to know the warning signs and the language to use to communicate with people who are struggling in their mental health,” she said.

“One of the symptoms of anxiety that turns into depression is suicide. Suicide is a symptom and people do not realize that. It’s a symptom that people choose something temporary,” she continued.

“Life after the Pandemic: 7 Tips for Coping Emotionally in an Uncertain World” is also available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and anywhere books are sold online.

Hastings Proctor is also the creator of a digital product called “StressFreeTalkRx,” available at www.thetalkdr.com.

For additional information or questions, contact the Christian Faith Publishing media department at 866-554-0919.

Trauma Specialist To Host Support Group for Suicide Survivors

Source staff
-
0
Trauma Specialist To Host Support Group for Suicide Survivors
Kim Wentzel moved into her new office in La Grande Princess in January and is
scheduling patients and group sessions. (Source photo by Susan Ellis)

Suicide is among the leading causes of death in the United States, with over 49,000 deaths reported in 2022, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Virgin Islands is part of these statistics, and St. Croix experienced a particularly tragic day last October with three suspected suicides.

Since then, the community has voiced concerns about the lack of suicide prevention resources and the urgent need to support families affected by such losses.

St. Croix trauma expert Kimberly Wentzel will soon begin a support group on St. Croix for family members who have lost loved ones to suicide. In the next few weeks, Wentzel is planning an open house at her new La Grande Princess office and will invite people who have reached out to her so they can agree on times and dates to meet.

“People need to know they are not alone,” Wentzel told the Source.

Wentzel ran a suicide support group for three years in Pennsylvania. She has been a therapist and clinical social worker for more than 20 years and has completed most of her work toward a doctorate. She earned her undergraduate degree at Penn State University and attended Smith College for her Master’s in Social Work and her doctorate.

“I’m fortunate to have had great training,” she said.

Wentzel worked with the American Red Cross in New York City shortly after 9/11 to assist those affected by the bombings. She also has worked with victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, trauma, addiction, trafficking, mental illness and to unify high-conflict families. She has helped teens and adults and combat veterans and hosted community seminars on anxiety, depression, healthy relationships, and self-care.

During the first sessions for survivors of suicide, Wentzel said the group will set ground rules regarding expectations, respecting each other and nondisclosure. She will then introduce the participants to the basic concepts and explain the differences between grief and depression. Among other difficult subjects, the survivors will learn how to manage horrifying images that they may have witnessed.

According to Wentzel, working through trauma and grief is difficult and everyone has a different timeline.

“No one is going to be pointed at to talk” during the sessions, she said.

Wentzel said she would like to hold group sessions for victims of gun violence and eating disorders if there is a need.

“I thought I’d have something to offer the community,” she said.

To learn more about Wentzel and her work, visit catalystmentalhealth.org.

Former UVI President Orville Kean, Visionary Leader and Educator, Dies at 86

Source staff
-
0
Former UVI President Orville Kean, Visionary Leader and Educator, Dies at 86
Former UVI President Orville E. Kean died at the age of 81. (Photo courtesy UVI)

The University of the Virgin Islands mourns the loss of its third president, Orville E. Kean, who served as a transformative leader of the institution from 1990 to 2002. Kean, who dedicated his life to advancing education and fostering development in the Virgin Islands, was 86.

Kean, appointed by the UVI board of trustees in 1990, was conferred the title of President Emeritus upon his retirement in recognition of his significant contributions to the university’s growth and resilience. His tenure was marked by notable achievements, including guiding UVI through the recovery from hurricanes Hugo in 1989 and Marilyn in 1995 and overseeing major capital projects that modernized the institution, according to the press release.

UVI President Safiya George expressed the University’s collective grief and highlighted Kean’s lasting impact. “I join the UVI family in mourning the passing of a great and inspirational leader, who dedicated his entire professional career to educating students and to leading this University with distinction and compassion,” George said. “On behalf of the UVI family, I offer deep condolences to Dr. Kean’s wife, Juliette, his daughter, Dr. Catherine Kean, his son, Michael Kean, and to the entire family. The university and the territory have lost a great intellectual, a man with a warm and generous heart, and a visionary leader.”

Oran C. Roebuck, vice chair of the UVI board of trustees, called Kean “one of the Virgin Islands’ precious treasures” and praised his lifelong commitment to student success. “Throughout his career, Dr. Kean worked on initiatives and programs that provided fruitful opportunities for our students to thrive at home and abroad,” Roebuck said.

Kean’s leadership included the establishment of the Research and Technology Park (RTPark) on St. Croix, which brought approximately 70 companies to the territory and bolstered the local economy. His vision also secured one of the largest donations in UVI’s history — a $5 million gift from entrepreneur Kiril Sokoloff, enabling the creation of the university’s Entrepreneurship Program, the press release stated.

Kean’s association with the university began in 1966 as a professor of mathematics at the then College of the Virgin Islands. Over the years, he held numerous roles, including dean of instruction, executive vice president, and director of the Eastern Caribbean Center, before becoming president. In 2021, UVI’s St. Thomas Campus was renamed the Dr. Orville E. Kean Campus in honor of his enduring contributions, the release stated.

The University will announce plans to commemorate Kean’s life and legacy in the coming days. Donations in his honor can be made to the Orville Kean Endowment at fundraise.givesmart.com or by calling 340-693-1040.

For more information or to reach Dr. Catherine Kean, please contact UVI Director for Public Relations Tamika Thomas Williams at tamika.thomaswilliams@uvi.edu or 340-693-1056.

1...554555556...13,081Page 555 of 13,081

VI JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Jobs - Click Here