My Brother's Workshop

I was introduced to My Brother's Workshop and MBW Café & Bakery when I moved to the island in 2016. I was instantly impressed by their mission to prepared at risk/high risk youth for the working world, and was inspired to volunteer there. But that was just the beginning. Fast forward to Hurricane Irma in 2017, and this organization did not skip a beat converting to a soup kitchen to feed the community amid the chaos, as well as sending teams out to repair storm-damaged homes. Jump again to 2020, and when the island was quarantined for COVID, MBW delivered meals to the elderly and immuno-compromised. The U.S. Virgin Islands is fortunate indeed to have MBW as a haven for young people eager to better their lives and futures.

My Brother's Workshop began with woodworking skills, has expanded to bakery, boat building, high school diploma, and more for at risk youth. Through their bakery they provided food for all that needed it after Hurricanes Irma and Maria. During "Covid Stay at Home" they delivered meals and supplies directly to people's homes.

I was one of the members of STRC that supported this program and helped get it started...so happy to see how MBW serves our community

Exceptional service to some of the most “in need” members of our community. An open door for opportunities galore!������������������������������

When I lived and worked in St. Thomas, the MBW bakery and sandwich shop was my daily source of great food and inspiration. These young men and women are learning life skills and building self respect in a way that will serve them well for a lifetime. Back then (five years ago) they didn’t have decaf coffee and I still smile when I think of how we solved it. I brought a bag of decaf beans in one morning and they labeled it “Jim’s Beans” and put it on the shelf. From that day forward, everyone knew to reach for Jim’s beans when I ordered decaf.

My first experience with My Brother's Workshop was as they were beginning, we had ordered a cabinet for a rental unit and by the time it came in, we had decided to put a washer/dryer in so we now a cabinet to donate, We donated it My Brother's Workshop who was doing carpentry skills with at risk youth.
Over the years, we have watched it expand and grow as it diversified into so many areas. The fact, that it motivates youth to stay in school or finish their education, is such a wonderful aspect. I have had the pleasure to have eaten at My Brother's Workshop Cafe for a funding raising event as well as a catered event.
Every experience I have had connected to My Brother's Workshop has been so positive and uplifting. Watching the comradery and excitement as they work and learn together and reach out to the public is a joy. Knowing the good they do not just in the training, education, job skills and professionalism for those involved in the program but in giving back to the community in the many ways.
My Brother's Workshop is a huge plus for the Virgin Islands. My wish for it, is for continuing success, growth and diversity.

My Brother's Workshop is an organization in the US Virgin Islands that serves at-risk youth in the community by providing workforce and life skills that give them a sturdy foundation to build upon. MBW's positive influence does not end at the population it serves but extends to the community as a whole. I feel that the spirit of this organization permeates through the community and helps encourage more "good". The people that run it and volunteer are extremely passionate, smart, and caring and I am honored to be able to help alongside them. I highly recommend others to learn more about MBW and get involved if they can.

I am so grateful that our island and community is so supported by this amazing organization full of wonderful and generous people. My Brother’s Workshop has shown up for our community members constantly, both in time of need and just for fun! I’m so proud to see all of the opportunities emerging from all the hard work they’ve done over the years. The excitement that stems from their programs, and students, is evident in every event they hold. These are the true selfless leaders in our community.

My Brother's Workshop is an exceptional nonprofit organization and one that I'm proud to volunteer with. MBW's impactful work with at-risk youth has changed many individuals' lives - and also the Virgin Islands community - for the better. In particular, MBW's responses following the 2017 hurricanes and during the early stages of the 2020 COVID pandemic demonstrate how adaptable the organization is, and how committed they are to serving the community while simultaneously never losing focus on their core mission.

MBW is a special organization that is doing so many positive things in our local Virgin Islands community. I feel honored to be a part of it and help them further serve our local youth and help them access resources that will enable them to reach their full potential.

MBW makes a difference in the lives of our youth in the Virgin Islands and makes a huge positive impact in the community. I am a volunteer and donor to this great organization. They get things done!

I have been a volunteer and donor with My Brother's Workshop since the very beginning and I have seen MBW grow into an incredible resource for the youth of our islands. Evolving with MBW and MBW Cafe over the years I have sat on the fundraising committee for several years. In this role I have encouraged many donors to give small and very large sums of money. MBW has proven over and over again to be excellent stewards of donations and they have grown the enrollment and programs by leaps and bounds. I am thrilled to give this non-profit a 5 star rating. They deserve this and more as we grow into the future.

I volunteered with my Church, Colts Neck Reformed Church from Colts Neck, NJ just last week Oct. 8-12, 2018. What an amazing program they have. We worked side by side with local Youth/Adults who are a part of this awesome program and really were blessed to be a part of it. they have made a huge difference on the island and I am sure there presence is felt,good luck in the future.

I am so proud of the amazing work that My Brother’s Workshop is doing. MBW brings hope to the hopeless by teaching young men and women life skills so that they may go on to be the community’s hope and future. I am thankful that I may partner with MBW financially knowing my investment will change lives for the better.

I was invited to a presentation by My Brothers Workshop in its infancy. It was on my way home from work that I made the decision to attend the presentation. It was a very impressive evening, their message to make a difference with our "at risk" youth touched my heart.
As a member of the Fundraising Committee it has been amazing to watch the growth and depth of the organization. The difference they make every day and how far they've come over the years; adding the cafe and bakery, on-line high school program, and assisting the community in recovering from two category five hurricanes. They fed thousands of people after the hurricanes and are always there in being a part of bettering our community. Scott Bradley, Jenny Hawkes and their teams are outstanding role models. When asked what is the best non-profit to support, without hesitation my response is My Brothers Workshop.

There needs to be more nonprofit organizations like My Brother's Workshop! It is a social enterprise style organization, which means that besides donations, it supports itself through its own programs. It has a wood workshop and cafe that teaches at-risk youth and young adults the hard and soft skills to being a good employee. It supports their efforts on individualized timelines, online high school courses, and a variety of general skills classes, such as anger management. Not only are the products that are produced by My Brothers Workshop outstanding, the lasting impact it has on the lives of its trainees and the community is incalculable. This a a place where youth who want to change their lives around can come and find the support to make and achieve their goals. The success of my Brothers Workshop is evident in those who have graduated from its program and the strong community support given to it.

It is said you can be part of the problem or you can be part of the solution.
MBW is part of the solution.
Period.

This is a wonderful organization helping the young men and women of the Virgin Islands 365 days a year! I have been blessed to be a part of this organization for several years and am consistently amazed by all the team is able to accomplish with limited resources. Scott Bradley, Jenny Hawkes and their teams at the Shop, Café & Education Center work tirelessly to give our VI youth the education, support and tools they need to succeed - they change lives and are making the Virgin Islands a better place. Every donation goes toward expanding our reach in the territory to more youth in need.

MBW stepped up and did amazing things after the USVI was hit by two hurricanes Sept 2017. They set up an organized and much needed hot lunch program to help anyone and everyone who needed a safe place to get a good cooked meal 7 days a week. In a time when every resource was scarce, they provided for this consistent need that not only met the physical need for food but gave people a place to gather as a community to share their experiences, story, friendship, and lives during a time of crisis. Knowing that there was always a place where you could get food and a small respite from your post hurricane problems was a blessing to our community.

My Brothers workshop is an amazing network of people!!!! They have been there before, during and after the storms!!! They never stopped serving people in need. The students and young people working there are incredibly polite and caring.

The MBW organization is remarkable. They have found a way to provide much needed services to the community while giving young people a second chance to succeed. It is run by amazing, loving and dedicated people who use creativity and flexibility to do the most good with every dollar they bring in. When people ask how they can help the USVI, I always send them to MBW first because I know their donation will have the biggest impact.

Amazing organization run by beautiful people who make sure that every penny you donate goes to those in need and not just for quick fixes but trully life and community changing!