PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten – The University of St. Martin’s School of Continuing Education and Life Long Learning (SCELL), founder of the Women’s Island Network (WIN), held its first WIN community event on February 13, at the St. Martin Home for the Elderly located in St. Johns, and celebrated Valentine’s Day with the residents.
WIN was founded in August 2015, by Director of SCELL Dr. Natasha J. Gittens, Ph.D. CHE. It was based on her vision to organize a consortium of powerful women on the island to embrace, mentor and empower young women as a whole, to pursue educational opportunities at USM/UVI, which would directly increase student enrollment at USM.
WIN’s event was the perfect mix of love and dedication, eloquently balanced on behalf of the WIN Board. The week prior to the event, WIN Board Members established a new program referred to as WIN Ambassadors. The Ambassadors are a mix of young men and women of high school age, preparing for university enrollment in the near future.
WIN will provide the Ambassadors with mentoring opportunities and guidance to prepare and support their decision to pursue degrees at USM and the University of The Virgin Islands. The Ambassadors made homemade Valentine’s Day cards the weekend prior, which were presented to residents of the home this past Saturday. Residents also enjoyed Caribbean music by a DJ, provided by WIN for the event. WIN Members and the Ambassadors engaged with residents and danced the afternoon away.
Staff and residents had a positive reaction to the event. “This is a very good incentive by the WIN Organization. This shows a lot of love, joy and respect towards the elderly. Please keep coming back with the students. These students are examples of how other students should respect themselves and others,” said Nursing Assistant Lorna Goldin.
“I give all praise to the top, our Lord Jesus Christ for this Organization! I would have expected this visit only from churches and not from an Organization. All praises to God!” said resident Enid Bradshaw.
“It’s nice to know that young people remember the elderly,” stated resident Claris Hodge.
Gittens stated: “WIN’s President Marilyn Cronie is a born leader and WIN’s Vice President Adelena Schapp is a visionary. With their passion for education and dedication to supporting women’s educational advancement at USM/UVI, WIN will soar to heights unimaginable and change the lives of both woman and community members in high numbers over the next several years.”
To become a part of WIN or to become a WIN Ambassador, email tia.thompson@usmonline.net, call 554-2437 or visit the SCELL website @ http://scell.usmonline.onl/.
SCELL’s W.I.N. brings Valentine’s Day to elderly
