OPENING DOORS
Project Promise’s programs are all about opening doors for our at-risk youth in St. Croix, in order to uplift, educate and empower them. Our holistic approach provides many opportunities for positive change, while our nurturing environment provides a safe place in which youth can get the tools and support they need to live healthier, happier and more successful lives.
Empowered Me
All children can and should be part of life’s “winner’s circle” – and that’s what the Empowered Me program is all about. Empowered Me is a holistic enrichment program designed to empower local youth ages 10 to 18 with the tools and attitudes they need to be winners in life. Empowered Me classes and activities center around the following programming pillars: Personal Wellness, Financial Literacy, Career Exploration, Creative Expression, Cultural Awareness, Community Service and Life Skills.
WHEN AND WHERE DO THE EMPOWERED ME CLASSES MEET?
Most classes meet on scheduled Saturdays at Project Promise’s newly-renovated downtown Christiansted facility, at 10 ABC Queen Street, Christiansted, VI.
WHO CAN ATTEND EMPOWERED ME?
The program is open to ALL area youth.
WHAT DOES IT COST?
Registration is just $25 per student for each quarter.
IS TRANSPORTATION TO AND FROM THE PROJECT PROMISE FACILITY PROVIDED?
No. Families are required to provide their own transportation.
ARE THERE ANY ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS?
Yes. Classes meet every Saturday except holiday weekends. Students must attend at least 7 classes per quarter. After 2 absences per quarter, a student is considered dropped from the program.
REGISTRATION FOR THE FALL 2023 QUARTER IS OPEN
Ages 10 to 12
Painting 101 – engages participants in the creative process, builds confidence and self-esteem through art. Participants will learn different painting styles/genres and learn drawing and painting techniques. Artwork displaying scenes from around downtown Christiansted will be on exhibit in a local art gallery at the end of the quarter.
Ages 12 to 14
Cooking 101 – engages participants in the art of cooking, builds confidence and knowledge through meal planning and preparation. Participants work with a local chef to learn the basics of preparing breakfast dishes, lunch plates and delicious dinners. At the end of each class students will dine on their dishes and prepare plates for parents to sample.
Ages 14 to 18
STEM 101 - engages participants interested in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. STEM 101 will teach collaboration, foster creativity, and help participants develop critical thinking skills. Participants will be exposed to a blended environment that shows students how scientific methods can be applied to everyday life.
Ages 10 to 18
Money Management 101 - engages participants interested in becoming financially responsible youth. The course is designed to help participants build good financial habits early and learn about a variety of tools and resources they can apply to effectively manage their personal finances and make wise decisions about money.
Classes will meet on Saturdays starting on October 14th & will end on December 16th.
Ages 10 to 12
10 am to 11:30 am
Painting 101
Cane Roots Art Gallery
24 Company Street, Christiansted, VI
Ages 12 to 14
10 am to 11:30 am
Cooking 101
Project Promise’s Facility
10 ABC Queen Street, Christiansted, VI
Ages 14 to 18
10 am to 11:30 am
STEM 101
Project Promise’s Facility
10 ABC Queen Street, Christiansted, VI
Ages 10 to 18
10 am to 11:30 am
Money Management 101
Project Promise’s Facility
10 ABC Queen Street, Christiansted, VI
Programs
The Caterpillar Project
8 YEARS OF SUPPORT
The Caterpillar Project is a long-term program designed to make a significant difference in the lives of at-risk youth in St. Croix. The Project’s initial pilot group of selected fifth-grade students meet with staffers after school on a daily basis through high school and into college. The Caterpillar Project is a positive “support system” for these youth, and will provide close ties to adults who take a personal interest in their growth and development.
THIS HOLISTIC PROGRAM INCLUDES:
LIFE COACHING
Weekly one-on-one sessions with a trained life coach to build self-esteem, vision, hope and self-worth; and help participants learn how to set and achieve goals. The Life Coaching component promotes personal and social growth, thus helping the youth become more responsible and accountable, and ultimately lead fulfilling and purposeful lives.
MENTORING
Similar to a “Big Brother/Big Sister” program, participants are carefully matched with rigorously screened, trained, and supervised volunteer mentors, who each commit to at least one year of service. Bi-weekly one-on-one meetings and an evidence-based mentoring program provide consistent encouragement and guidance to help youth get and stay on the right path.
COMMUNITY SERVICE
Learning to give of yourself to help others is an integral part of the growth process. Participants take part in meaningful projects focused on the revitalization of our community. These projects also function as team-building activities, which foster responsibility and self-esteem, and help youth develop a stronger sense of attachment to our community.
EDUCATIONAL INTERVENTION
Designed to supplement classroom instruction, the Educational Intervention component uses an individualized approach to help students achieve grade-level proficiency in reading and math, approach learning in a different way, and reach their full academic potential overall.
CAREER EXPLORATION
Participants receive support identifying, researching, and exploring their career/vocational interests. The curriculum motivates youth to plan for their future and acquire the skills and credentials needed for career success. Whenever possible, participants are also paired with rigorously-screened volunteers to gain hands-on experience in the field.
PERSONAL WELLNESS
Interactive activities teach participants mindfulness techniques (such as breathing techniques, progressive relaxation, meditation and yoga), how to make good food choices, preventative health information, and more. Ultimately the Personal Wellness component helps strengthen character and self-discipline.
CREATIVE EXPRESSION
Starting with group activities and eventually expanding to activities based on individual student interest, this component engages participants in the creative process and builds confidence and self-esteem through art. Youth get the opportunity to do something positive with their time and talents, and learn how to channel their energies towards a positive outcome.
CULTURAL AWARENESS
Many of our youth know little to nothing about the Virgin Islands’ rich cultural heritage. The Cultural Awareness component uses fun, hands-on activities and numerous field trips to explore St. Croix’s vibrant past. Participants are introduced to the Virgin Islands’ traditional foods, music, dances, natural resources, literature, and history.
FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES
The Family Support component links participants’ parents with needed resources. It also gives parents the tools to effectively communicate with and participate in their children’s lives. To remove barriers to participation, transportation to and from the evening meetings, a healthy meal, and child care for younger children are provided.
YEAR EIGHT: 2nd Cohort-Caterpillar Project is on the way.
Salt River Bay’s
“Open Outdoors For Kids” Program
The Every Kid in a Park Program 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 three-point program includes an introductory powerpoint presentation to the park at the school, followed by an on-site park tour, and a post-experience in-class visit by the instructor to review what was learned.
The Visitor Center Tour introduces students to Salt River Bay’s incredible history. They explore Taino culture by viewing artifacts and a PowerPoint presentation. They also discover the story of Columbus’ encounter, where it occurred, and learn about Taino cosmology in a craft-making exercise. Students tour the west side of the park and learn about the natural resources through ranger led activities. During the post-experience visit to the school, students participate in a question and answer session about Salt River Bay’s historical and natural significance.
WHAT TO EXPECT:
School Visit
Pre-park activity
Power point presentation
School Visit
Post-park activity and Q & A;
Field Trip
Students should bring lunch, hats, sneakers and shoes that can get wet.
Transportation is provided/arranged by the Project Promise, pick-up time is 8:15am, drop off time is no later than 2:00pm.
