St. Croix Foundation for Community Development

03/08/2026

Some losses ask us to be quiet before they ask us to speak.

For more than a week, we have carried the loss of Claudette (Adjoa) Young-Hinds in our hearts, struggling to find words worthy of the woman who helped shape this institution. Even in our silence, she has been with us. Every day that we have returned to the work of the Foundation, we have felt the imprint of her vision, her values, and the bold imagination that helped bring this organization into being.

Throughout her life, Claudette gave generously of herself, serving on countless nonprofit boards and lending her wisdom wherever our community needed thoughtful, principled leadership. She was our mentor, our teacher, and our friend.

To lose one of our founders is to lose part of our institutional memory. There was still so much we hoped to learn from her—so much more to receive from her wisdom, her questions, and her remarkable spirit.

As we navigate another tremendous loss, we recommit ourselves to the work Claudette helped shape more than three decades ago, carrying her vision forward with courage, integrity, and love for this community.

15/07/2026

St. Croix Foundation's Scholarship Awards Presentation was especially meaningful this year! Held in person for the first time, students, donors, community members, fund advisors, board members, and staff came together and embraced our young people and new milestones.

Opening and closing the presentation with blessings, we celebrated the resilience, perseverance, and limitless potential of our young people, alongside the spirit of generosity and community that helps make their dreams possible.

Together, the Patrick & Amelia Williams Opportunity Fund, the Lang-Wise STEM Scholarship Fund, and the Foundation Scholars Fund awarded $29,000 to nine outstanding scholars pursuing ambitious degrees and certifications in Biological Engineering (MIT), Neuroscience (Georgia State), Physical Therapy (FAMU), Nursing (Tennessee State), Cardiac Sonography (Lone Star College), Computer Science & Software Engineering (RIT), International Business (UofSC), Welding & Pipefitting (Tulsa Welding School), and Biology (LeMoyne-Owen).

Our next generation of leaders is on its way, and we are deeply grateful to be the wind at their backs. Congratulations to each of our scholarship recipients - we believe in you!

Read the story and learn more here: https://www.stxfoundation.org/news/st-croix-foundation-ignites-futures-29000-in-scholarships-help-power-st-croix-youth-toward-engineering-healthcare-and-business/

10/07/2026

Today, all of us at St. Croix Foundation are proud to celebrate the remarkable students selected as recipients of the 2026 Patrick & Amelia Williams Opportunity Fund. Through this scholarship, deserving students are empowered to pursue higher education, develop their talents, and create brighter futures for themselves and our community.

Please join us in congratulating this year's outstanding awardees:

🎓 Jahnaiy Rodriguez (Third-Year Recipient)
College: Florida A & M University
Major: Physical Therapy

🎓 Sherina Turney
College: Tennessee State University
Major: Nursing

🎓 Terrise Mitchell
College: Lone Star College
Major: Sonic Cardiography

🎓 Kadence Milligan
College: Georgia State University
Major: Neuroscience

🎓 Ace Poyah
College: University of South Carolina
Major: International Business

Your perseverance in overcoming challenges, resilience, and commitment to your education inspire us all. We look forward to watching each of you continue to grow, lead, and make meaningful contributions to your communities and beyond.

The St. Croix Foundation extends its sincere appreciation to Founder and Donor, Junior Gaspard, of the Patrick & Amelia Williams Opportunity Fund and the entire Gaspard family for investing in the dreams and potential of our Virgin Islands students. Together, we are helping shape tomorrow's leaders!

10/07/2026

St. Croix Foundation is proud to recognize this year's outstanding recipients of the Lang-Wise STEM Scholarship Fund! These exceptional students have demonstrated academic excellence, determination, and a commitment to pursuing careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics that will help grow the Virgin Islands and give back the global community.

Please join us in congratulating our 2026 awardees:

🎓 Keemar Croskey
College: Rochester Institute of Technology
Double Major: Computer Science & Software Engineering

🎓 Israel Popo
Trade School: Tulsa Welding School
Focus: Welding & Pipefitting

🎓 Daryl Griffith II
College: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Major: Biological Engineering

🎓 Kadence Milligan

College: Georgia State University

Major: Neuroscience

🎓 Na-Jaii Hospedales
College: LeMoyne-Owen College
Major: Biology

🎓 Terrise Mitchell
College: Lone Star College
Major: Sonic Cardiology

Your hard work, perseverance, and passion for learning have earned this incredible achievement. We are excited to see the impact each of you will make as the next generation of innovators, researchers, engineers, and healthcare professionals.

Thank you to St. Croix Native Raydiance Wise of the Lang-Wise STEM Scholarship Fund for investing in the future of our students and strengthening the next generation of STEM leaders in the Virgin Islands.

29/06/2026

Every time another young life is lost to violence in the Virgin Islands, we ask the same questions. What is wrong with our children? Where are the parents? Why are our young people becoming so violent? Perhaps it is time we ask a different question. What if our children are simply becoming more like us?

Every time another young life is lost to violence in the Virgin Islands, we ask the same questions. What is wrong with our children? Where are the parents? Why are our young people becoming so violent? Perhaps it is time we ask a different question. What if our children are simply becoming more like...

09/06/2026

The Annie E. Casey Foundation just released its 2026 KIDS COUNT® Data Book. This year's annual Data Book, a 50‑state report on child well‑being, for the first time gives states comprehensive scores (0–1,000) across 16 indicators in economic well‑being, education, health, and family & community.

The U.S. Virgin Islands may not appear in national rankings, but our children, families, and communities still count. For years, KIDS COUNT USVI has worked to ensure that local data is available to inform local decisions. In a place that is often overlooked by national systems, we continue to find ways to document our realities, celebrate our progress, confront our challenges, and tell our own story. Data is more than numbers. It is a tool for accountability, advocacy, and action. Thank you to everyone who contributes to this work and helps ensure that the experiences of Virgin Islands children and families are seen, understood, and acted upon.

Read more!

St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands – The Annie E. Casey Foundation released its national 2026 KIDS COUNT® Data Book on ...

01/06/2026

There's still time for 2026 St. Croix graduates to apply for a scholarship through the Lang-Wise STEM Fund and the Patrick and Amelia Williams Opportunity Fund. Due by midnight on June 3rd, both opportunities offer scholarships that support tuition, travel, books, supplies, and materials, and more!

Review applications by visiting us at https://www.stxfoundation.org/grants-scholarships/ and apply today!

If you have any questions at all, please phone us at 340-773-9898.

26/05/2026

It's not too late for St. Croix graduates to apply for a Lang-Wise STEM Fund Scholarship! These scholarships, ranging from $500 to $5,000 each, directly support rising college freshmen in meeting the unexpected expenses that can arise.

Apply here today https://stxfoundation.info/2026ApplyLangWiseSTEM.
Reach out to us at 340-773-9898 with any questions.

26/05/2026

The Patrick and Amelia Williams Opportunity Fund is still accepting scholarship applications! 2026 graduates from the St. Croix Central High School and Educational Complex are eligible for a scholarship of up to $4,000 to help with educational experiences - so spread the word!

Review eligibility requirements and submit applications by June 3rd! For more information, visit us at https://stxfoundation.info/2026ApplyWilliamsOpportunity or phone us at 340-773-9898.

20/05/2026

Graduates who are on your way to college or university... don’t forget to apply for the Lang-Wise STEM Scholarship before you go! Created to help with the very real first-year costs of pursuing your studies, this fund awards 3+ scholarships of $500–$5,000 to 2026 St. Croix graduates pursuing STEM majors.

Review your eligibility and apply by June 3rd: https://stxfoundation.info/2026ApplyLangWiseSTEM — Questions? Call 340-773-9898.