Did You Know?
Most at-risk youth in St. Croix face numerous challenges. They’re living in poverty, doing poorly in school, and lack positive role models and the tools to make good decisions. Many have completely lost hope and have turned to risky behaviors. And the list goes on, with many problems feeding into each other.
Positive Changes
Project Promise is dedicated to bringing about positive change in our world. Our vision is to give at-risk youth the tools and support they need to live healthier lives. Our objectives are to enhance their decision-making and conflict resolution skills, enable them to discover their vocational interests, and ultimately integrate them into society and our economy. Our goal is to inspire a future of excellence and success for youth throughout the Virgin Islands community and the world.
From life coaching and personal wellness to academic tutoring, community service, cultural programs, family services and more, Project Promise gives St. Croix’ at-risk youth an opportunity for positive change in a safe, secure, and nurturing environment, by introducing them to our natural resources, our history and culture, and our most valuable resource, themselves.
Current Programs
The Caterpillar Project kicked off in January 2016. Staffers meet with the program's initial pilot group of selected fifth-grade students after school on a daily basis. We will continue to work with them through high school and into college.
The Salt River Bay Program kicked off in January 2015, it offers every public school fourth grade student the opportunity to visit and learn about the Salt River Bay National Historical Park and Ecological Preserve. The original 'Ticket to Ride' Program worked with sixth graders.
The Buck Island 5th Grade "Ticket to Ride" Program provides your students with a great opportunity to learn about one of our island’s National Parks. Students will be provided instruction on the ecological significance of Buck Island along with its cultural history. The program consists of three interactions: a Pre-Park School visit, a Buck Island Field Trip, and a Post-Park School visit.
The Excellence & Leadership Recognition Program kicked off in January 2017. It is designed to acknowledge and recognize three outstanding public high school seniors; one senior from each high school who have gone above and beyond, despite all odds.
Highlighted Projects
We did it!
Nine years ago Project Promise President and Founder Resa O’Reilly saw a dilapidated building in downtown Christiansted—a building that had sat empty for 30 years—and had a vision. “One day,” she thought to herself, “this building is going to be a thriving community center and the home for an organization that will truly make a difference in the lives of at-risk youth here in the Virgin Islands.” With this vision in mind Resa launched Project Promise, operating out of borrowed space as she built an organization that now runs three on-going programs for area youth and completes numerous community service projects each year.
When St. Croix non-profit Project Promise launched its flagship Caterpillar Project to provide a full range of programming for a group of at-risk youth, it made community service an integral part of the program. The COVID-19 pandemic has not stopped this. In fact, it is the focus of their current efforts! With the goal of creating and implementing a community service project that can potentially impact the entire St. Croix community, the “Caterpillars” have completed Heart to Heart International’s COVID-19 Youth Ambassador program.
Project Promise’s Caterpillar students drove across America this summer to make an impact on communities outside of the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The Caterpillars touched down in New York with stops in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, and California
Project Promise’s Caterpillar students drove across America this summer to make an impact on communities outside of the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The Caterpillars touched down in New York with stops in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, and California
How You Can Help!
WAYS TO GET INVOLVED
You can make a difference today. With your support we can positively impact the lives of our islands youth and expand our already-proven services!
SHARE YOUR STORY
If you have something positive to say about Project Promise and the impact it has had on you, your family, your business or your community, we’d love for you to share your story.
WE HAVE SOME BIG NEWS
We are launching a NEW program…. And… it’s going to be housed in our NEW building….
SPONSOR A CHILD
TODAY!