Although Coral Bay, St. John has been utterly devastated by hurricanes Irma and Maria, there is no question that this resilient Caribbean town will spring back better and stronger than ever. Scratch below the surface of the bayside bars and snorkel tour outfits and you will find a cowboy spirit as tough and independent as […]
We all react differently in a disaster. Some hit the ground running. Within minutes, action-types are doing something to help. If not clearing roads or checking on injured neighbors, these first responders are making plans to get the basic necessities to the affected. Others step back to reflect, nurture, and plan. These organizers are our […]
The opening of Gifft Hill School to all kids offers more than just education, it allows parents to get back to the work of rebuilding the island. By Andrea Milam Tuesday, September 5, should have been the first day of school for St. John children. Instead, that day was spent in a terrifying rush as […]
Savanna Goodman is a Pennsylvania native who has been living in the VI for the past 7 years. She describes herself as an eccentric with a unique point a view, a trait that has served her well as the owner of Alternate Aspect Photography and the idea person, coordinator and photographer behind the Our colors Will Not […]
“Coming together is a beginning, keeping together is progress, working together is success” We are working on expanding strong partnerships with dedicated teams on the ground and in the states so we can identify each partner’s strengths and needs in the unified mission of helping St. John recover and rebuild. By sharing the tasks we will […]
“Today is better than it was yesterday.” … and this momentum, even if it feels like “going back to square one” or starting over, this is an opportunity to not simply fix what is broken, but to try again at giving the island what it truly needs with the support, knowledge and desire to make it even […]
Together we Rise! St. John Strong is not just a catchy phrase, it captures the spirit of our community, but even the strong need support to recover from a disaster like this. This is a team effort and boy what a team that has come together! *Information contained in this article is copied with permission directly […]
“Paradise is not lost!” Message from St.John Community Foundation Director Celia Kalousek *Information contained in this article is copied directly from SJCF Director Celia Kalousek’s report 9.21.2017 Communications are limited, as expected, and teams are in the process of making an assessment of damage to the island’s infrastructure. Intermittent calls and internet exchanges are coming through […]
Spokespeople: Jonathan Shames – St. John Rescue Relief President Margaret Pokorny – Wife of St. John Rescue worker Attending Journalists: Huffington Post Wall Street Journal Jonathan Shames – St. John Rescue Relief President’s Statement St. John Relief has brought in Global Disaster, secured a MediVac helicopter, but has been overwhelmed with rescue asks. They […]
As communications crackle back to life in St. John, USVI, you can almost hear the island residents take a deep sigh of relief. It will be short lived. This tiny island has taken the worst hit by Hurricane Irma as far as sheer devastation is concerned. Three out of every five homes have been destroyed. […]
Residents of St. John – on island and off – continue their massive community effort of pulling together to save, feed and shelter one another in classic Love City spirit but say they still desperately need help from the federal government for security, food, water, gas, medicine, equipment and more. So many reports coming […]
*This article was originally published on 9/9/2017, and will be updated continuously for accuracy and new developments.* LOVE CITY STRONG AND RESILIENT Today was a good day, folks. More than just a Cat 5 has come our way. Love City is also receiving Cat 10 LOVE and support from world class search and rescue teams, […]
– This guide is dedicated to the sailors and boaters of Coral Bay. Through their collective knowledge and wisdom, this work was possible. If you are a new boat owner in the Virgin Islands, the approach of hurricane season can be a confusing time. Your hair is guaranteed to be raised by the stories of […]
This is really a story about how we come to call a place home. It is also a story about a day when an ill conceived dinghy rodeo took place in Coral Bay. It was one of those days that everything went so upside down that it left me wondering where in the world I had […]
Summertime is often associated with idle hands and lemonade stands, but if you’re looking for an opportunity to stay active, volunteering in the Virgin Islands is always a good option. Volunteering your time not only helps the community, but also enriches you personally. It can be as simple as helping a neighbor with yard work, […]
Native St. Thomian DaraMonifah Cooper is one of the bright stars of the Virgin Islands art world. An artist of many talents, she is also major community organizer and educator who dedicates herself to working with St. Thomas’ youth and teaches them about their culture through music, art, performance arts, and engaging in technology through […]
St. John, US Virgin Islands, affectionately nicknamed “Love City,” is the scene for some of the most fantastic Festival revelry in the Caribbean. The St. John Festival is a month-long celebration that kicks off energetically with live music and performances and ramps up to an awe-inspiring fireworks display in the Cruz Bay harbor on the […]
When Bob Shinners imagines the movie of his life it opens with him as a young man standing on a Milwaukee bridge in a thick parka. He climbs the safety rail, closes his eyes, and jumps. As he plunges into the icy water, his steel-toed boots and heavy winter clothes suck him into the murky […]
