The Representative of the United States Virgin Islands (USVI) in the U. S. House of Representatives, Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett, accompanied the youth of the Faith Seventh-day Adventist Church, located in Frederiksted, St. Croix, to distribute breakfast to more than seventy (70) residents at the Whim Gardens Senior Home.
“I am really elated to be giving out breakfast at Whim Gardens to our elder community with the Faith Seventh-day Adventist Youth Society,” the Congresswoman shared on her Facebook page, after spending four hours on Sunday, November 17th, visiting with seniors in the community.
The Whim Gardens Senior Home is government-assisted housing that provides independent living apartments for low income senior residents – support services are also provided to ensure that seniors age comfortably and with dignity.
The Adventist Youth Society (AYS) is passionate about providing resources, empowerment and assistance to members of the community as needs arise. The youth leaders of the Faith SDA Church explained that the Youth Department has been more directly involved in outreach over the last four (4) years and that breakfast is served to the community twice per month. One youth leader stated, “We began feeding the homeless and then realized that there are residents in self-assisted homes that are also in need – so we decided to include them in our ministry.”
“The church is very much concerned about the impact we have on the community,” said Pastor Desmond James, President of the North Caribbean Conference. “The Congresswoman’s presence is strengthening our resolve to make a real impact, to help bring dignity and the love of Jesus to this community.”
The residents were delighted to meet the Congresswoman. One resident who regularly receives breakfast from the SDA Church told Congresswoman Plaskett, “I am happy to see you. The Church really makes us feel that they care. The members are always here.”
The AY Leaders elaborated on the community effort, “Every day, we see that our success comes from working hand in hand with donors and the leaders of our Seventh-day Adventist Church, together with the entire Adventist community. Our partnerships strengthen our abilities, our donors broaden our reach, and the communities in which we serve inspire us to work harder and find the best ways to create resiliency around our community.”
The pastor of the congregation, Pastor Wynfield Ambrose, commented, “When we work side by side with community leaders and others in the field, we gain better access and receive valuable insight into what’s the best way to reach those we are there to serve.”
Dr. Vincent A. David, NCC Youth Director, reminded the youth that sharing is caring and expressed his gratitude to them for embracing his department’s theme, “Salvation and Service”. He also thanked Congresswoman Plaskett for partnering with the congregation for Youth on Community Connect 2019.
As outlined on her site and tagged on social media, Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett represents the U.S. Virgin Islands’ at-large Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives. She is an African-Caribbean attorney who has practiced law in New York, Washington DC and the U.S. Virgin Islands. She is best known for her understanding of economic development and public-private partnerships for growing the economy of developing areas. She is an active community advocate and political leader in the Virgin Islands.
The Congresswoman was pleased with the community program and its impact on participants and beneficiaries. One member of her security detail was so impressed that he declared his intention to devote one Sunday per month toward helping the church reach the community. He felt that Adventist believers were fulfilling the Biblical mandate to be their brothers’ keepers. He added, “The Adventist Church has not only recognized some of the needs of the poor and vulnerable but has taken the approach to help in meeting those needs through this breakfast program.”