VIVA Children Archive: A Record of Advocacy and Community Resilience

This archive preserves the public history of Virgin Islands Volunteer Advocates for Children, Inc. (VIVA for Children), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that operated on St. Croix from 2003 until its activities ceased. The site documents the organization's mission, programs, and community engagement, including its response to Hurricane Maria in 2017. It is presented as a historical record, not as an active service provider.

Origins and Mission

VIVA for Children, Inc. was established in 2003 as a tax-exempt nonprofit registered on St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Its mission was to operate programs that primarily benefited children in foster care as a result of abuse or neglect. The organization's name—Virgin Islands Volunteer Advocates for Children—reflected its core approach: mobilizing trained volunteers to serve as court-appointed special advocates (CASAs) for vulnerable minors.

On October 1, 2004, VIVA for Children assumed operation of the CASA of the Virgin Islands program, which had been founded in 1995 at Legal Services of the Virgin Islands. This transition allowed the program to continue under local nonprofit leadership, adapting national standards to the unique cultural and social context of the U.S. Virgin Islands. As of 2012, VIVA was no longer affiliated with the National CASA Association, but it continued to operate its child advocacy program in line with those standards, customized to fit local needs.

Child Advocacy Program

The heart of VIVA's work was the Court Appointed Special Advocate program. Court-appointed advocates were assigned by the court to represent the best interests of minor children in abuse and neglect cases. These children, as the organization noted, 'have done nothing wrong, committed no criminal act—they are the victims of child abuse.' The advocate's role was to monitor the child's case and, more importantly, their life while they were in the system, awaiting decisions about reunification, foster care, or adoption.

VIVA sought to ensure that no child slipped through the cracks. Advocates worked to identify each child's needs and to secure resources by advocating with the government and in court review processes. The goal was to restore a happy, healthy childhood to children who had experienced trauma, giving them a voice in a complex legal and social system.

Supplemental Grant Programs

Beyond the core advocacy program, VIVA administered two small grant-based initiatives. The 'I WISH' grants provided small monetary awards to meet specific needs of children in foster care—items or experiences that might otherwise be out of reach, such as educational supplies, extracurricular activities, or other enrichment opportunities. These grants were designed to supplement the resources available through the child welfare system.

The second grant program, while not detailed in the preserved records, was part of VIVA's broader effort to address gaps in services for children. These programs reflected the organization's commitment to holistic support, recognizing that children in foster care often require assistance beyond legal advocacy to thrive.

Community Fundraising and Engagement

Fundraising was essential to VIVA's sustainability. The organization welcomed donations year-round and encouraged community participation in several signature events. One of the most popular was the 'Chefs of St. Croix' fundraiser, introduced in 1994 and held annually since 2004. Local chefs offered cooking classes and tastings, with tickets ranging from $40 to $75. Events included hands-on classes in intimate kitchen settings and demonstration-only tastings in the dining room, featuring cuisines from Thai to Italian to traditional holiday dishes.

Another key initiative was 'Pennies from Heaven,' an annual fund drive held from late November through late February each year since 2003. A challenge grantee matched donations from community members penny for penny, up to $25,000. This matching structure amplified the impact of individual contributions and fostered a sense of collective investment in the organization's mission.

VIVA also sold Caribbean holiday greeting cards designed by students in the Virgin Islands, as well as year-round blank notecards. These products not only raised funds but also celebrated local artistic talent and cultural heritage.

Hurricane Maria and the Aftermath

On September 19, 2017, Hurricane Maria struck St. Croix as a Category 5 storm, dramatically altering life on the island. In a firsthand account preserved on the site, VIVA described the devastation: 'For those of us living on St Croix, our lives changed drastically and it may be some time before life returns to normal.' The south shore and West End suffered the most severe damage, but across the island, residents lost roofs, power, and, without electricity, often running water.

The organization's offices were not spared. The parking lot was blocked by downed lines and telephone poles, and the office upstairs took on water when windows blew out, which then seeped through the floor and ceiling. Saturated ceiling tiles and growing mold made the space unusable. Cell phone and internet service were spotty or nonexistent, hampering communication and relief efforts.

Despite these challenges, VIVA's message was one of resilience and community need. The site noted that 'we could use your help,' but the focus was on the broader recovery of the island and its children. The aftermath of the hurricane highlighted the fragility of infrastructure and the importance of community support in times of crisis.

Legacy and Archival Purpose

This archive serves as a historical record of VIVA for Children's contributions to child welfare in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The organization's work—training advocates, providing grants, and engaging the community—left a lasting impact on the lives of children in foster care. The preserved pages offer insight into how a small nonprofit navigated funding, programming, and disaster response.

The site is not an active service provider, and no current representation or services are offered. Instead, it stands as a testament to the dedication of volunteers and staff who worked to ensure that abused and neglected children had a voice. The history of VIVA for Children remains a valuable chapter in the story of community-based advocacy in the Caribbean.