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VI community overwhelmingly responds to FSN’s plight

- NGO now seeing brighter days ahead
President of FSN Judith Charles was pleased to inform Virgin Islands News Online that there was an overwhelming response to the news articles published about FSN being in a financial crisis and on the verge of closing. She also said the network was in a much better position to continue its work for the rest of the year and this is due to donations received as well as volunteer service from members of the community. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Just when one was about to think that society had slipped into a dog eat dog mentality and that domestic violence was just not a big concern, all that has changed with the heart warming story of how good Samaritans within the community helped to bring back the Family Support Network (FSN) from the brink of closing down.

President of FSN Judith Charles was pleased to inform Virgin Islands News Online that there was an overwhelming response to the news articles published about FSN being in a financial crisis and on the verge of closing. She also said the network was in a much better position to continue its work for the rest of the year and this is due to donations received as well as volunteer service from members of the community.

“So we have had some very good donations and I think that the interest of the Press and the fact that they kept the situation in the public’s eyes all the time, especially during the month of October, caused the community to rally around the problem and the people in the community came together. There were people who I didn’t even know before, like Faye Barron who went out to raise some five thousand dollars for FSN.”

Charles also said a friend of Barron’s was also inspired by what she had done and donated a prize of a day sail, which was then auctioned off and raised a significant amount of money.

“Another young man, Jerome, from one of the Trust Companies went out and raised Three thousand fife hundred dollars and his friend went out and got another prize which was auctioned off. The people came to my office and brought me cheques or mailed in cheques. A friend of mine, Sachkia Barnes, sent out a letter to all the Trust companies from her public relations company and Trust companies have been sending us cheques. The Tortola Ladies Club did this fundraiser for us last year and they did it for us again this year. They really worked hard and got helped from their husbands...,” Charles related to this news site.

The Catholic Church, Charles added, donated boxes of food which was then passed on to the FSN clients, who she explained not only come in because they are in an abusive situation but they may also be out of work and underemployed and FSN assists them with food, and clothing and often refers them to other agencies for additional help they may need.

“So in terms of money we are going to be able to get through this year. I think really, and aside from the community coming together, the volunteers are part of the real story for FSN because people came out and volunteered their time. We had Leanna Cross who came from Canada, Gail Lettsome... They were also able to work with Loralie Conner to visit many churches to explain the new domestic violence law. FSN went along with Ms Conner to say how it could help in the process of the new law.”

Volunteers also went to the schools and sister islands with Ms Conner.

Ms Charles said the Family Support Network recently did a lot of work, especially  In the month of October, and all that work was done with volunteers.

“Both of our paid staff left in October... FSN is functioning, the doors are open, right now there is a young lady in the office, another volunteer.... It has really been an incredible experience for me and FSN in the last couple of months.”

Family Support Network is a non-governmental organization whose primary aim is to aid individuals, couples and families affected by relationships that are unhealthy.

Family Support Network (FSN) was established in 1989 as a volunteer organization under the auspices of the BVI Christian Council to support families in distress. Today, FSN operates indirectly under the auspices of the Christian Council as a non-profit organization.

7 Responses to “VI community overwhelmingly responds to FSN’s plight”

  • edward (12/11/2012, 08:24) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is very exciting news
  • Well done (12/11/2012, 08:57) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Judit is a very hard working lady supporting many organisations, thank God for her and others like her in our community.
  • pop corn (12/11/2012, 11:45) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    and it came at a good time when the law will be now enforced..no more beating up of ladies we have entered the 21st century finally
  • sayig (12/11/2012, 12:19) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Although I have not experienced domestic violence myself, I knew of a few persons who did and IT was NOT a good experience at all. So, I am glad the FSN can continue to help families in such distress.
  • move on.com (12/11/2012, 13:35) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Plenty more help to come Ms. Charles!
  • thanks (13/11/2012, 13:59) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    i am so happy what a great write up!


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