This week, I am pleased to be attending the 2022 National Hurricane Conference in Orlando. This annual event is focused on hurricane preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation. Panels are focused on a variety of sectors, including technological developments, communications, forecasting, federal mitigation programs, public-private partnerships, and more.
One particularly exciting development this year is the presence of the Territory’s emergency management agency, VITEMA, on several panels. On Monday, Assistant Director Barbara Petersen, Deputy Director for Planning and Preparedness Regina Browne, Deputy Director of Operations Bruce Kelly, and Public Information Officer Erik Ackerson led a panel on local emergency response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Their presentation highlighted some of the challenges the Territory faced, as well as the many successes of VITEMA and the VI Department of Health over the last two years.
On Tuesday, Assistant Director Petersen and Deputy Director Browne hosted a panel focused on the Territory’s Hazard Mitigation & Resilience Plan. They were joined by Dr Greg Guannel, Director of the Green Caribbean Center at the University of the Virgin Islands. The robust discussion addressed climate change, infrastructure, and the need for systemic solutions to complex problems in the Territory.
Wednesday afternoon is dedicated to the NHC General Session. This event will include an appearance by FEMA Administrator Deanna Criswell as well as an Equity in Disasters panel. The Territory’s own Regina Browne is a panelist for the Equity in Disasters session. Along with her, a diverse group of representatives from emergency management organizations and nonprofits will discuss the importance of planning to ensure equity in disaster response.
While the VITEMA panels have certainly been relevant to our work at LCS, other opportunities abound. The NHC provides an invaluable chance to network with emergency managers, federal responders, vendors and subject matter experts from across the country. While each disaster is unique, there’s a great deal we can learn from the experiences of other communities, and we hope that our experiences are valuable to them as well. I am thrilled to be back at the National Hurricane Conference this year, and am already looking forward to next year’s meeting in New Orleans.
The Administrative Team primarily works in our office and helps Love City Strong from behind the scenes. They are not as visible as the Go Team and the Ops Team, but their role is still crucial!
Who are the Admin Team?
The Admin Team are a team of two who report directly to our Executive Director: The Foundation Administrator and the Development Director. Each person has separate duties, but they both work together to keep us funded and ensure that we’re spending our funding responsibly.
What does the Admin Team do?
The Foundation Administrator handles our accounting, record keeping, and compliance. They record our donations, and get our employees and partners paid for their work. The Administrator also ensures that we are transparent and up to date with local and federal requirements. They renew our licenses and keep our records up to date.
The Development Director’s job is to make sure that we are funded, and inform our donors about what we’re working on. When they’re not busy staying in touch with our donors via handwritten notes and personalized tours of our work, they write our grant reports and seek out new funding opportunities. They’re also tasked with keeping the public informed with our blog, social media, and newsletter.
Helping Us Help Others
We couldn’t support our community if the Admin Team didn’t support us. While not always visible in the community, they are still critical to the smooth operation of our projects. Support their hard work and donate today.
In the last 4 years we’ve accomplished so much thanks to the support of our Board, the generosity of our donors, and the partnerships that we’ve built. Your kindness and trust has made our impact possible.
As we enter our fifth year, we wanted to take a moment to summarize our work thus far and share how we create our different programs.
From 2018 to now, Love City Strong has:
- Rebuilt 36 homes.
- Installed 70 water filtration systems, serving 223 people. As a result, we replaced the consumption of 2,680 plastic water bottles per month.
- Remediated mold in over 100 homes.
- Made or replaced 200 address signs for seniors and families.
- Pre-staged MREs and boxed water across the island to last 5,000 people for one week after a disaster.
- Delivered sandbags to an average of 75 seniors per year.
- Trained more than 50 people across multiple first responder programs, like CERT and Stop the Bleed.
- Delivered 12,000 meals directly to seniors and families during the first COVID-19 lockdown.
- Distributed over 4,000 reusable masks throughout the community.
- Supported mass-vaccination efforts on St. John for 8 weeks, helping hundreds of residents and visitors to get their shots.
When our team gets together to brainstorm a new program, we start by asking ourselves the following 6 questions:
- What issue caused by a disaster does the program address, and/or what issue are we trying to prevent from happening in the future?
- Does the program serve the most high risk individuals in our community, and can it be replicated by those who have the means to provide it for themselves?
- Who are our partners locally that can support us?
- How can we center local businesses and skilled individuals in the U.S.V.I. in our program work so that funding we receive stays in the territory?
- What data can we gather during the course of the program, and how can this data be used in the future?
- Is the program scalable to the other islands in the territory, other communities in the Caribbean, or rural communities globally?
- We are addressing the massive loss in permanent low and middle income housing suffered as a result of Hurricanes Irma and Maria. Moreover, we want to rebuild homes so that they’re more storm resilient in the future.
- The program serves seniors, families with children and infants, and individuals with a disability or a chronic health condition. All of our clients are typically underserved by existing hurricane recovery/rebuild programs.
- We identified the St. John Community Foundation to help us with case management and All Hands and Hearts (who were on an extended mission in the USVI at the time) to help with on-site labor via their volunteers.
- We hired St. John-based construction companies and licensed contractors to perform all rebuild work, purchased our supplementary tools and equipment from businesses on St. John and St. Thomas when possible, and ordered building materials either from local suppliers or from Puerto Rico.
- We keep track of all of our expenses for each site to help federal partners like FEMA. This facilitates a better understanding of the true cost of housing rebuild on St. John; factoring in volunteer labor, shipping, and more.
- With local case management who live in and are a part of the community that they serve; strong partnerships with local contractors and suppliers; and access to both private and government funding, this program can be replicated in communities similar to St. John.
2021 Prospectus
This month Love City Strong is excited to share our updated 2021 Prospectus.
This document outlines our organizational priorities and ongoing projects, including COVID-19 response and our continued efforts supporting vaccinations on St. John. In 2020, we shifted this document from its previous physical form to a living, online version in order to reach a larger audience.
What is a Prospectus?
A prospectus is a document that describes a school, organization, or potential project in order to attract or inform clients, buyers, or investors. For our purposes, the prospectus is a part of our efforts to keep our current and potential donors engaged in our activities and plans for the future.
What is included in the Prospectus?
The document revisits our core mission and values as an organization. In addition, it breaks down our accomplishments and upcoming goals for each of our ongoing projects. It specifies the impact that our projects have had on the community, highlighting measurable outcomes and progress. Finally, it identifies tangible results tied to various donation amounts, in each project area.
How can I help?
This year, the Caribbean faces yet another active hurricane season, and based on recent evidence we know that storms are coming through more often and with more intensity. Community preparedness, which is at the core of the Love City Strong mission, is more important than ever.
If St. John holds a special place in your heart and you’re emotionally invested in our recovery from Hurricanes Irma and Maria and the COVID-19 pandemic, please take a few moments to read through this year’s Prospectus and share it with your friends and family!
If you are able, consider making a donation, or sign up as a monthly donor, to help us build a stronger and more resilient community as we continue to recover.
As COVID-19 vaccination efforts continue in the US Virgin Islands and across the globe, many are wondering what to expect when they receive their doses, or are trying to decide if they should get vaccinated in the first place.
We interviewed members of our team who have received the vaccine, and asked them to share a little bit about their experience before and after receiving it.
Kenisha Small, our Community Relations Manager (pictured above, left) and Deborah Ramsay of our Go Team (pictured above, right) were both vaccinated at the Island Health and Wellness Center on St. John in February.
Here’s what they had to say (responses have been edited for length and clarity):
Why did you choose to get the vaccine?
Deborah: I got the vaccine for three reasons: The work I do directly helping and speaking with St. John seniors; because my doctor advised that, since I am over 65, the possible side effects of the vaccine were likely much less severe than the side effects of getting COVID; and because my daughter and family said they would not want me traveling to visit them in the United States if I chose not to get the vaccine.
Kenisha: I got the vaccine to assist in keeping the seniors in my family and our community safe.
Did you have any fears or anxieties about getting the vaccine?
D: Yes! I am fairly anti-vaccine. I have never gotten a flu shot, for instance. I was concerned about the side effects and was unsure about how effective (the vaccine) might be.
K: I was more surprised at the fact that they had already created a vaccine for something so seemingly new.
What were some of the resources that you found helpful in answering questions about the vaccine? In other words, where or who did you turn to for information?
D: My daughter, the internet, friends, colleagues, and my doctor.
K: I turned to my coworkers at LCS for guidance and gaining knowledge to build my confidence; specifically our Operations Manager Stephen, who is also an EMT and our Executive Director, Meaghan.
Describe your experience getting the vaccine.
D: I went to Island Health & Wellness. We had to wait outside the office briefly. Once inside, there was a lot of paperwork to fill out. We were kept at a safe distance from each other. It took about 1/2 hour including filling out the paperwork and having to sit in the office for 15 minutes after getting the shot to observe us for possible immediate side effects. The shot took seconds and was hardly noticeable! And I HATE shots. They scare me and I can’t watch. But it happened so quickly I barely noticed!
K: I got an appointment at 2pm for the vaccine at Island Health and Wellness. The entire process took about 45 minutes to an hour, which included arriving early, waiting in line, and remaining for 15 minutes after receiving the shot. Process was simple, somewhat smooth and quick once inside.
Which vaccine did you get?
D: Pfizer
K: Pfizer. I’ve had my first dose and am due to receive the second dose on March 4th.
Did you experience any side-effects after your vaccine doses?
D: Yes. A slightly sore arm for a few days. The first night, it was hard to sleep on that side. After the first shot I felt a little sick that night and most of the next day. I had slight body aches, a bit of a headache, and low energy. After the second one, (I had) slightly less effects. Mostly just low energy.
K: I had a sore arm for a few days, and on the day of the shot I just felt lazy or sluggish afterwards; otherwise it went well!
What’s one thing you think that everyone getting the vaccine should know?
D: The shot itself is barely noticeable. At Island Health, they were very efficient. Plan to rest the day after!
K: From what I can tell, it’s safe!
For more information about the COVID-19 vaccine, check out the Virgin Islands Department of Health’s FAQ page, the CDC’s vaccine information website, and this video from Johns Hopkins Medicine.
The Territory entered the 2020 hurricane season on high alert, facing the forecast of an active season paired with the COVID-19 pandemic. At Love City Strong, we began modifying and updating our preparedness and response plans early on, reaching out to our partners at Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency (VITEMA), the Virgin Islands Department of Health (VIDOH), the Virgin Islands Department of Human Services, and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) for guidance and best practices for responding to a disaster during a global health crisis.
Thanks to our work responding to the pandemic on St. John, our team was already used to wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) and adhering to social distancing protocols. We modified our annual community outreach programs, becoming less reliant on public events and leveraging public and private partnerships in order to successfully respond to two significant weather events while keeping residents informed.
Tropical Storm Isaias impacted the Territory on July 29th, and our response lasted from July 25th through July 30th. This large system moved quickly, but did not turn into a tropical storm until it passed just south of St Croix. Our team remained on alert and executed pre- and post-storm wellness checks in the community, shifting from at-home visits to conducting them entirely over the phone. We assisted residents with downed trees and minor storm debris on their property, and brought resources like solar powered lights to those experiencing power loss.
A wave of severe weather associated with Tropical Storm Laura impacted the Territory in the early morning hours of Saturday, August 21st. Once again, what was expected to be a significant rain event stayed to our south, resulting in a limited impact. Within 24 hours of the forecast impact, we knew that the path would keep Laura from being much of a threat to the USVI, but our team continued to execute pre- storm wellness checks, and helped several residents with boarding up and clearing their property.
This hurricane season saw us working closely with VITEMA and our other government partners, as well as our sister nonprofits affiliated with Virgin Islands Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VI VOAD), to keep St. John prepared. Between storms this year, we delivered sandbags to over 100 households, and handed out blue roofing via a drive-through system alongside our partners. Both of these events would normally be done in the form of large public gatherings, but we were able to execute them successfully while still observing social distancing and PPE use.
The 2020 hurricane season taught us much about the unpredictable nature of disaster preparedness, and emphasized the complex relationship between multiple disasters that share the same impact window. I am proud of the work our team has done this year, in the face of so many challenges. As the season comes to a close, we look forward to further refining our deployment plans, expanding our preparedness and resilience programming, and serving the community in the years to come.
Today, we wanted to take a moment to express gratitude to the many individuals and groups that have helped make Love City Strong’s progress in 2020 possible. Although this year has been challenging to say the least, we are overwhelmed by the constant kindness and support of so many different individuals and groups that have helped us remain true to our mission and purpose.
First, a huge thank you to our many donors and grantors for making our programs possible. This year we are particularly humbled by the generosity of Bloomberg Philanthropies, the Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands (CFVI), and the Center for Disaster Philanthropy (CDP). Each of these foundations allowed us to both extend and modify grant funding in order to address community needs related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Their flexibility has been vital to our successes this year, and has helped us make real differences in the lives of hundreds of St. John residents. Since the beginning, our Board has continuously helped fund our projects and has kept us on track so that we can continue making a big impact on St. John for years to come. Thank you Tom Secunda, John McInnis, Jarrod Bernstein, Ian Samuel, and Tenesha Keyes for your exemplary leadership and support especially during such unprecedented times. Thank you to our team for working so hard all year, and constantly pivoting to address multiple challenges while remaining supportive of each other and committed to your community. Your tireless dedication is a constant inspiration. There are dozens of St. John businesses and licensed professionals that help by lending their technical expertise to the work that we do. We would like to extend a special thank you to Big Planet, Cutting Edge Construction, J&D Woodworking, Joel Penn, Ralph Carbon, Rebecca Reinbold, and St. John Projects for working alongside us to make a difference this year, and in years past. Nothing that we do would be possible without key organizational partners in the public and private sectors. In 2020, we are so grateful for the support of the CDC, FEMA, High Tide, Island Health & Wellness Center, Love City Mini Mart, Papaya Cafe and Bookstore, Paradise Lumber, ShoreIQ, Skinny Legs, Starfish Market, St. John Brewers, the St. John Community Foundation, St. John Hardware, St. John Rescue, Sosa’s Food Truck, Tony’s Kitchen, the Virgin Islands Department of Health, the Virgin Islands Department of Human Services, the Virgin Islands Fire Department, and VITEMA just to name a few! The challenges we faced as an organization in 2020 have brought our staff closer together, and renewed our commitment to our clients and supporters. This year has reminded us that life is full of uncertainties, and in order to be truly prepared, we must be flexible and willing to overcome obstacles by working together. We must also remember to be grateful for those in our lives who lift us up and support us in our time of need. We encourage everyone to take a moment and extend your thanks to the important people and groups in your life. Take the time to express your gratitude, and in doing so, renew your commitment to making your community a better place.
In December 2019, the novel coronavirus changed lives on a global scale. At Love City Strong we have made every effort to react as quickly as possible; pivoting from what we had originally planned for 2020 to make addressing the issues caused by COVID-19 our number one priority.
COVID-19 Response Timeline
On March 6th, we began purchasing bulk supplies of PPE and sanitation products to give to healthcare professionals, first responders, and essential workers on St. John in anticipation of the global shortage. Our distribution of these supplies occurred throughout the month of March, a full two months before the national stockpile supplies arrived in the Virgin Islands.
On March 10th, we began to distribute COVID-19 informational flyers in English and in Spanish across the island. These flyers were vetted by the Virgin Islands Department of Health and the CDC, and featured all of the information known about COVID-19 at that time. Over 500 flyers were distributed within 72 hours.
On March 13th, one day before the first case of COVID-19 in the Virgin Islands was announced by territory healthcare officials, we made the decision to close our office to the public and either suspend or greatly modify our programs in order to adhere to social distancing guidelines. Our teams modified their procedures to either limit or cease in-home visits with our clients and increased regular sanitation of their work vehicles and supplies. We also encouraged all employees to work from home rather than in our office. As of August, these practices remain in place.
On April 13th, we began partnering with World Central Kitchen to deliver hot and cold meals to seniors, families with children, and individuals with a disability or chronic health condition. We also delivered meals to healthcare workers and first responders every other week in addition to our household deliveries. Our relationships with the small business community were able to make this program more robust and efficient—We hired St. John Brewers to increase meal preparation and storage capacity, and Rock n’ Rolla Charters to provide both additional transportation for our team and a Spanish translator. Our Go Team delivered over 500 meals and snack packs directly to over 200 different households every single week for three months.
In May, the CDC released new guidance regarding the importance of wearing masks in public. To encourage and normalize this practice, we launched a month-long social media campaign called “We Not Me.” During the campaign, we shared photos that were sent to us from people in the Virgin Islands and around the world wearing their masks. Each photo was accompanied by a short testimonial from that person with their specific reasons for taking this precaution seriously. You can view the entries in this campaign on our Instagram account by clicking the #WeNotMe story highlight.
In June we partnered with St. John retailer Big Planet to provide free, reusable face masks to St. John residents and visitors. The first batch of masks were provided to households that we were delivering meals to, and to churches in Cruz Bay and Coral Bay. We then set up small buckets of masks at several different businesses across the island, where they are available to anyone in need. The free masks will be provided at these locations from June through the end of August, and thus far approximately 2,000 masks have been given away.
Our Mission Moving Forward
At LCS, it has always been our philosophy to prepare for the worst and hope for the best through all hazards, and this has served us well during this unprecedented time. Through the early and decisive actions of our team, we have been able to continue serving the community of St. John through both our existing programs and new, short-term initiatives while keeping ourselves and our clients safe.
Wherever you are, we urge you to continue to be vigilant and responsible as COVID-19’s impact continues. This isn’t over. Whether you are young or old; healthy or high-risk, we must all continue to do our part to take extra care with our family, friends, neighbors, and colleagues.