The Women's Coalition of St. Croix works tirelessly to fight the crime and the results of domestic abuse. They provide education, counseling and hands-on help to victims, potential victims and the general public. Their services are available to people who live on St. Croix, but with online exposure and partnerships with other similar organizations they also educate and inform beyond their geographical boundaries.
They also have a compassionate outreach to families of those who have lost their lives to domestic abuse. I know about this aspect first-hand. I'm the mother of a young woman who was murdered in May, 2013, by her former partner...who then committed suicide.
The Women's Coalition honored our Tam's (Tammy Zolner) memory (and that of many others who also lost their lives this year) in their recent "Take Back The Night" silent march and vigil on October 24, 2013. The event was well-attended according to news reports and although I couldn't join them in person my spirit was certainly with them as they held vigil on that night and hopefully, brought new awareness to people there. My heart was warmed and my grief lightened by their kindness and compassion and their personal outreach to me. Although my daughter lived on the island I reside in Indiana and I was impressed by their very caring overtures to me, a stranger.
This organization works on the front lines with people who have been devastated by domestic violence, providing real help to those who often have no place else to turn. They truly deserve your most serious consideration and the honor of being chosen as a Great Non-Profit. Thank you for that consideration.
As a local freelance reporter I have covered events and written features on volunteers and programs at the Women's Coalition of St. Croix USVI.
The success stories in the programs offered are fabulous such as people earning GEDs after hardship and dropping out. The volunteers give it their all when it comes to making an event a success. They have a number of long-standing fundraising events that the community comes out and supports any way they can.
The Coalition has fallen on some hard times but keeps on assisting folks involved in domestic abuse or any other life threatening situations.
A couple years ago the Coalition offices were totally demolished in a fire and a theft took place at the new offices. It happened to be the year they celebrated 30 years of service. And in Jan. 2012, a donor HOVENSA oil refinery closed. Almost 3,000 people were without work. Some have found jobs but there is trickle down and more people are asking the Coalition for all types of assistance. The cost of living and doing business in the Virgin Islands is terribly high.
The work the people at the Coalition do is incredible.