On a regular day in January, while meeting with my colleague, I received an unexpected phone call from the Foundation Judicial Institute St. Maarten (SJIS): “Are you willing to foster…
Damali Bryson, on becoming a foster parent
The power of grandma’s love and support
Column by Aisaiah Nunes My grandmother’s kindness and support have been a constant source of strength for me. Without her, I wouldn’t be where I am today. Growing up in…
The determination and creativity of Kevin Hanson
“My girls inspire me to learn and do new things,” states Kevin Hanson, single father to two girls, Kelina ‘KK’ and Kera ‘Kiki’, ages 10 and 12. Kevin works at…
Shirley Hilairè’s journey of single-motherhood
Shirley is a single mother to her sons, ages 8 and 12. For the past eight years, she has been the sole provider for her family. “They have been my…
Personal Story: Defying Stereotypes
“Some people judge us because we are gay and have a child, but we don’t let that bother us anymore,” share Julian Browne, wife to Jacky Browne and mother of…
A teen mom’s resilience and growth
When Allia was 14 years old, she felt she might be pregnant. She initially pushed away that feeling, hoping it was not true. When she finally took a test, she…
Processing trauma to create a healthy family dynamic
What is a healthy family dynamic for a child? Open communication, quality time, and a safe environment within a family structure are often said to be vital to raising a…
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Tips: if you want youth to be truly involved
How can you engage young people more meaningfully in your work? Lenworth Wilson, who has been working in youth development on Sint Maarten for over fifteen years, shares his insights….
Neglect can lead to abuse
Alex, a child with disabilities, was sexually abused at school twice. Neither the school nor police intervened. Her parents are warning professionals working with differently-abled children to always be mindful….