“Our School Safety Team doesn’t just prepare our school for disasters; we look after the general wellbeing of our children daily” Vera Illidge, Vice Principal of the Seventh Day Adventist…
School safety is a daily task
Helping to feed a community
Community leader Mavlet Gordon provides food aid in times of need, such as a hurricane or a pandemic. Attention to subtle signs of a lack of nutritious meals is important,…
We help people get back on their feet
The hardest clients to re-integrate are pensioners and single mothers, says Dr. Judith Arndell, founder of the Dr. J. Foundation that manages the Crisis Shelters. “Unfortunately, we are seeing an…
Saving lives with hurricane shelters
During a disaster, Chantale Groeneveldt and her colleagues coordinate everything related to equipping, opening and coordinating the hurricane shelters. People in need also receive referrals to emergency supplies and services,…
Fostering and adoption on Sint Maarten
Kimberly Dort-Brown, Head of the CoG, and Meredith Concincion, Foster Care Coordinator of SJIS, share the ins and outs about fostering and adoption on Sint Maarten: The Court of Guardianship…
Experts discuss the consequences of teen pregnancy
Milangela Francisca, a social worker, and Janique Kolfin-Baly, an educational psychologist, have been guiding young people for the past 14 years. They are both currently assigned to the Sundial School…
Damali Bryson, on becoming a foster parent
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…
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…
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…