Savan Clean Up And Restore Project: Collaboration of Families and Community

I had the pleasure of meeting  a gentleman by the name of Kevin Gilbertson on Wednesday, July 15, 2015 when I ventured to the neighborhood basketball court, along with other members of the community, to find out more about the Savan Cleanup and Restoration Project  that began earlier this month on July 9, 2015. Kevin was more than forthcoming in asking the questions and listening to the concerns of his fellow neighbors while helping us to visualize the intent of the entire initiative. We spoke of past events (the historic walk through, and meeting held at Palms Court Harborview Hotel) and those to come all with the intent to revitalize the community and cleanup Savan. When asked about any future projects that may take place with that would serve the neighborhoods youth Mr. Gilbert assured me considerations had already been taken to establish a community center within the neighborhood aiming at such, and providing various programs all to foster positive progression for the development of each individual youth. We spoke of gaining the help of other influential members of the community within to continue the mass engagement already underway also to gain insight to center focus' on pertinent issues relevant to those residing within. Throughout our conversation I witnessed various members of the community stop by, some signing up volunteers, others volunteers ready to move their detail to the next spot! 

C.A.N or Community Action Now! Inc. is a non-profit organization whose mission is to create programs and services in underserved areas in the US and the Caribbean (C.A.N, 2014). C.A.N and community partners launched the Savan cleanup and restoration project on July 9, 2015 and it will continue to July 25, 2015 which will then be dubbed 'Savan Appreciation Month'. Through collaborative efforts with various partnerships including but not limited to the Economic Development Agency, Virgin Islands Police Department, Department of Public Works, Sankofa Saturday, government officials, local businesses, and members of the community this initiative continues to take place within the Savan community, beginning during the morning commutes well through the day to the evening. The Savan Cleanup and Restore Project began its month long activities and initiatives with a historic walk through of areas in Savan that aren't familiar to the general public as the historic monuments of change that they are. Alongside the V.I.P.D and E.D.A officials as guides children were shown the history of Savan and in turn learned more about their cultures as it pertains to their neighborhood community. Since then there have been countless volunteers, neighbors and strangers alike, all with the same mission of restoring the Savan Community. Through the mobilization of the communities members C.A.N officials and members of the #savesavan initiative are not only highlighting the historic heritage we share, but they are also illustrate the culture we hope to continue to be prevalent within our communities rather than the degenerative status that it's slowing becoming plagued with. The youngest members of our communities look to us for role models and by mobilizing all members of our community (including the youths) to engage within various aspects we as parents, educators, and citizens of this community will not only teach culture but live it, and show our children that we too practice what we preach. 

  

Other initiatives are also in place to keep up current trends and develop new ones with the intent of enacting solutions to improve the stagnant state of our neighborhood and community. C.A.N officials have also partnered with the Citizens And Police Association to implement a neighborhood watch aimed at crime and crime prevention. Meetings for the neighborhood watch will continue at the Methodist Church near Market Square, on Monday July 20, 2015. All members of the community and the Savan neighborhood are encouraged to attend and spread the word. Follow the Proud To Be A Savanero group on Facebook and add members, spread the message.   

  

Families, neighbors, educators, and officials all gathered and united by a common means; this is the product of collaboration between families and communities. This is our culture. This is how we live.  

The views expressed within the blog are solely those of Ms. Child Advocate and does not reflect on any of her affiliations. For more on the U.S Virgin Islands youths read #LoveWins Diversity for A Diverse World, Healthy Summer Activities: Keeping Children Active, and National Public Gardens Day U.S.V.I.     

#LoveWins Diversity for A Diverse World

With the recent decision to allow same sex marriage has been a myriad of 'opinions' from different parties  of different racial disparities and religion. Everyone is entitled to their own opinions and beliefs but at what point do we recognize that these decisions are those of the individuals participating in matters and those who are directly affected rather than everyone who has an opinion. I've heard many state in defense of their opposition that it is against God and that it is not right, we are leading the children down the paths of hell, and so forth. I'd like to share with all of you a story, or my personal observations on the outlook of a child with gay parents in today's modern society. While this is just a story and will not mean much to many this story happens to be that of my personal life that I'm sharing in the hopes of not changing anyone's mind or beliefs but their approach and outlook on what is right as opposed to what is condoned.  

I grew up in a small, close knit community; everyone mostly knows everyone and who doesn't know each other knows their family. Myself included, many know me as my mother's daughter or even my grandmothers granddaughter as I now reside in an apartment that she taught members of the this very same community in for years at one time before her retirement. While I do not resemble my mother, nor do we have many of the same views, I still have always been known as her daughter within our neighborhood and abroad in the territory as well. Growing up a little girl with a mother whose choice of 'style' was that of a man's wasn't easy due to teasing from my peers and other adolescents, also every once in a while a teacher would too chime in on their thoughts from my mother's lifestyle and wardrobe. I explicitly remember once sitting in my mother's car in the backseat trying to shrink myself down in size as she came to her boiling point (which does not happen often) after school one day with some men that decided to 'test her masculinity'. Needless to say these incidents did not change my mother's stance, nor my opinion of my mother; regardless of her sexual orientation or who she chose to have as her partner we always had food on the table, name brand clothes on our backs and shoes to match ( and in the closet), an appreciation for books and education, and last but not least we grew up with the realization that the struggle of diversity wasn't over. 

As I grew older I learned not to shrink in the backseat anymore for it was not my behavior worthy of being embarrassed but those who were making the condescending remarks and living lives of hypocrisy themselves. As children we always went to church, with or without our mother who at times worked weekends to ensure our family was never less than another or without necessities; it was there that we learned acceptance for diversity, race, religion, and love. So why do many assert that same sex anything is against God? God didn't make my mother unloving, undeserving, nor an instigator so isn't she allotted love and respect too? For doing all things that mothers do? For not being any less of a woman but for invoking more of what many wish they had at home in their closets, under their beds, or in their hearts; the power to teach that of love and acceptance.  

I implore everyone to use this time to think about the strides the human race has made and how far we still have to come as far as acceptance of race, gender, religion, and other diverse factors and the implications of repercussions if things continue the way they are any further. The civil rights movement ended so many years ago, but we still see the opposition rallying against change; don't be the opposition on this matter. Spread the message of love and acceptance and show the world that things can change. The bible was also once the backbone of every argument for slavery and segregation, don't you think it is time we use the good book for positive purposes rather than to promote negativity.