FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact: Sean Liphard Communications Manager seanl@cfvi.net 202.770.7535 cell

CFVI Supports Youth Programs and Virtual Learning During COVID-19 Pandemic More than $110,000 distributed to 28 USVI organizations

U.S. Virgin Islands, December 10, 2020 — Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic over the course of the past five months, the Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands (CFVI) has provided more than $110,000 in grants to support youth programs and virtual learning in the U.S. Virgin Islands.  The first round of funding, a series of rapid response mini grants of approximately $1,000 each for youth programs, provided $22,950 to 21 nonprofit organizations throughout the Territory. Grantees used the funds for equipment and technology to facilitate remote enrichment experiences, program tuition scholarships, and personal protective equipment. PHOTO: St. Croix student J'Neelah Daniel received a laptop through the Project Promise VI grant from CFVI to enrich her remote learning experience. “The grants were designed to address critical one-time needs associated with programs, projects, and initiatives serving children and youth in the Territory, with priority given to programs serving children from homes with financial challenges,” said CFVI Vice President and Director of Grants and Programs, Anna Wheatley Scarbriel.  Project Promise VI, an organization dedicated to improving the lives of at-risk youth on St. Croix, used its grant to purchase laptops for remote learning. Friends of Virgin Islands National Park in St. John used the funds to support its School Kids in the Park (SKIP) program. The St. Thomas Swimming Association provided scholarships for 34 children to attend a free swim lesson. Below is a full list of mini grant recipients:

All Saints Cathedral School Boy Scouts of America – USVI Caribbean Centers for Boys & Girls of the Virgin Islands, Inc. Coral Reef Academy Dollar fo’ Dollar Culture & History Committee, Inc. Eddie Ortiz Annual Three Kings Tradition Inc. Friends of Virgin Islands National Park Leap and Learn Academy Marine Vocational Program My Brother’s Workshop Nana Baby Children’s Home Project Promise SEAT Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center St. Croix Alumnae Chapter of Delta, Sigma Theta, Inc. St. Thomas Reformed Church St. Thomas Swimming Association The Forum, Inc. The University of the Virgin Islands Tshwane After School and Intervention Program Virgin Islands Children’s Museum Women’s Coalition of St. Croix

The second round of funding focused on supportive programming to address the challenges faced by many families with children enrolled in schools with distance learning requirements. Nearly $80,000 in grants were awarded to eight different organizations.  “The purpose is to encourage and bolster initiatives that increase educational equity and opportunity,” said Scarbriel. “Specifically, we wanted to provide eligible entities with resources needed to safely and effectively support students who may otherwise not be able to complete required learning activities, with a focus on serving students of lower-income families, essential workers, and other families experiencing COVID-related challenges.” Scarbriel added that many of the organizations used the funding to support in-person tutoring programs to assist students in grades kindergarten through 12th grade with adjusting to virtual learning techniques and with understanding and completing homework.  The following organizations received virtual learning support grants:

Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Thomas/St. John, Inc. Coral Bay Community Council Education Connections VI Inc. (via Veteran’s Resource Group) Frederick Evangelical Lutheran Church Methodist Training and Outreach Center St. Thomas Reformed Church The Homeschool Collective (via Ascension Livity) Women’s Coalition of St. Croix

### About the Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands Since 1990, the Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands (CFVI) has been a catalyst for positive change in the Territory through initiatives committed to youth, learning, family support and the environment. With a professional staff and a volunteer Board of Directors composed of community leaders, CFVI is a trusted advocate and supporter of programs that ensure opportunity and sustainability for current and future generations. CFVI is a registered non-profit organization entirely supported by individual donors, grants, trusts, corporate donations and estate planning. For more information, visit cfvi.net.