Commitment to Action partnership with Lutheran Social Services helps solarize Queen Louise Home for Children in St. Croix
President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton convened members of the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) Action Network in San Juan, Puerto Rico on February 18-19 for the fifth meeting since 2018. The Action Network brings together leaders from business, government, and civil society to make commitments to accelerate recovery from natural disasters and promote resiliency in the region. This week’s meeting includes special sessions on recovery in the Bahamas after Hurricane Dorian; supporting marginalized communities on the front lines of the fight against climate change; and investing in high-tech, high skilled jobs in the Caribbean.
CFVI President Dee Baecher-Brown presented an update on one of the Foundation’s Commitments to Action on February 18 at the CGI Action Network’s opening plenary session moderated by President Clinton. The session, titled Accelerating the Road to Recovery: Responding to Natural Disasters in Puerto Rico and the Bahamas, spotlighted the greatest needs for recovery in the Bahamas and Puerto Rico following recent earthquakes and hurricanes, drew on lessons learned from Hurricanes Irma and Maria, and encouraged attendees to take action to support the people of the region.
In 2019, CFVI made the CGI Commitment to Action to partner with Lutheran Social Services of the Virgin Islands (LSSVI) to solarize the Queen Louise Home for Children on St. Croix, which provides care for up to 29 children who have been abused, abandoned or neglected and also houses the U.S. Virgin Islands’ only Early Head Start program.
With the help of CGI and a $100,000 grant from CFVI to LSSVI, a solar PV system was secured for two buildings at the Queen Louise Home, saving the home more than $1,500 per month. “That money can now be reinvested into programs that support the youth living at the home and families participating in Early Head Start,” said Baecher-Brown.
Together, CFVI and LSSVI are seeking additional partners for $200,000 to complete the solarization of the entire campus, providing additional support for the children and families served by the Queen Louise Home. For more information or to donate, contact CFVI at general.info@cfvi.net or 340-774-6031.