Catholic Charities of the VI (CCVI)

About Us

The Mission of Catholic Charities of the VI (CCVI) is to Reduce Poverty, Strengthen Families, and Empower Communities. All clients served by CCVI in any of its programs are assisted in evaluating their needs, reinforcing personal resources, and effectively using available community resources.

Hunger, Homelessness, Elder Care and Mental Illness -- all can be approached as incentives and invitations for clients to re-examine their lives. With responsive support, clients are encouraged to develop healthier behavior patterns, lifestyles and a more productive life. All of our programs are geared to fulfilling our mission.

The clientele of CCVI programs include persons ranging from gestation through old age, literally from “womb to tomb”. Most of our clients are low-income men, women, and children of various nationalities, religious affiliations, cultural or ethnic heritages. There are no eligibility criteria besides an expressed need and request for services.

Through donations and grants, we are able to continue providing the programs our community so greatly requires:

• Assist our homebound elderly
  
• Serve meals, make referrals, counsel, and distribute clothing as needed to the homeless, low income and the working poor of the Virgin Islands community
  
• Provide a Summer Enrichment Program for underprivileged youth that focuses on tutoring, cultural awareness, safety issues & field trips.
  
• Provide emergency shelter, food, advocacy and referral assistance to the homeless or anyone in unforeseen circumstances such as eviction, natural disaster, or domestic violence.
  
• To provide advocacy services to homeless suffering from mental illness.
  
• Provide homeless prevention services to the community through rental assistance, food vouchers, and utility assistance.
  

Future programs include expanding Bethlehem House Shelter services to include permanent housing, transitional housing, and extending the length of stay for residents who need life coping skills such as budget management, resume preparation, employment, and housing assistance.

It is only through the generous and gracious help of donors and volunteers that we are able to continue providing these services. If you would like more information or would like to volunteer, please contact us at the above address or complete the form in our brochure and fax it to 777-4475.

Services:

Catholic Charities of the Virgin Islands, Inc., (CCVI) operates the following funded programs :

• Family Education Program (FEP),
  
• Bethlehem House Shelters for the Homeless (BHSH), and
  
• Program for Assistance in the Transition from Homelessness (PATH).
  
• Crime Victim Assistance Program
  

The services provided by each program are as follows:

Family Education Program:

• Daily Lunch at the FEP Soup Kitchen
  
• Access to showers
  
• Clothing Bank, Food Pantry, Furniture Exchange
  
• Basic Counseling, Advocacy and Referral
  
• Educational and Outreach presentations
  
• HAPICAT (Have A Phone, I’ll Call AnyTime), a service for homebound elderly clients, is also part of the FEP services.
  

Located at: Hospital Line #7, St. Thomas, VI 00802
Phone:(340) 777-4889

32A King Street Rear, St. Croix VI 00820
Phone:(340) 773-0132.

Bethlehem House Shelters for the Homeless:

• Emergency Shelter
  
• Two meals daily,
  
• Personal counseling
  
• Advocacy and referral services for men, women, children and families, who are homeless.
  
• Educational and recreational programs
  

Located at: 9A Hospital Ground, St. Thomas, VI 00802
Phone:(340) 774-HOME (4663)

Herbert Grigg Complex, St. Croix, VI 00820
Phone: (340) 778-1227.

PATH:

Provides outreach to persons who are homeless as a result of chronic psychiatric illnesses or who are in danger of becoming homeless because of their psychiatric illnesses.

The following services are available:

• Advocacy
  
• Case management services
  
• Referrals to existing social and community service agencies in the community.
  
• Assistance in researching permanent housing options
  

FEP services are included to PATH clients if required.


Located at: Hospital Line #7, St. Thomas, VI 00802
Phone: (340) 777-4889

Herbert Griggs Complex, St. Croix, VI 00820
Phone (340) 773-0132.

Crime Victims Assistance Program

The Crime Victims Assistance Program provides confidential supportive services that respond to the emotional and physical needs of crime victims under the following:

• Crisis Counseling
  
• Follow-up Services
  
• Information and Referral
  
• Personal Advocacy
  
• Telephone Contact
  
• Assistance in filing Crime Victims’ Compensation claims
  

Services are located on the East End of St. Thomas and on St. John; phone (340) 777-8518 or (340)776-4164.

Throughout the forty-year operation of CCVI and its various programs, CCVI has made it clear in its philosophy and its service delivery that every event in a person’s life can be used as a challenge and an opportunity for growth.

Our clients share their experiences:

S. Ross came to Bethlehem House Shelters for the Homeless in 2002. She was addicted to crack cocaine and alcohol. Years of substance abuse took its toll on her family and they eventually separated from her. She soon found herself homeless. Ms. Ross ended up in a drug-infested area of town called “Camp Drunk”. She came to the shelter because “too many bad things were happening” at the camp, and made up her mind to move out and better her life.

During her first week at the shelter, she was referred and admitted into the Substance Abuse Program. After a full week of counseling from the program and constant support from the shelter staff, she made the decision to go to an off-island rehabilitation center. In 2003, she left Bethlehem House and went to St. Croix for treatment at The Village Rehabilitation Center. During her stay, she remained in contact with the St. Thomas shelter staff, telling them of her progress. Hearing the news of friends going to jail or dying motivated her to remain on course. Her commitment became even stronger when she had to attend a close friend’s funeral on St. Thomas.

After completing her rehabilitation, Ms. Ross came back to St. Thomas in late 2003 and returned to Bethlehem House Shelter. She immediately began seeking employment and within a few weeks, secured a job with a security agent firm. After one month on the job, she was recommended twice for a supervisor’s position.

A few weeks later, she happily moved into her own apartment with the help of the Bethlehem House Shelter staff. She became a role model for many of the shelter residents, a role which motivates her to this day to continue her new life and responsibilities. She left the shelter bestowing accolades upon the staff and the facility for the help she received. Her parting words were: “I will pray for you to continue the great work you are doing.”

A Client’s Story

“My name is D. Perez. I resided at Bethlehem House Shelters for several months. It was my first time there and it had been quite an experience.

The staff members are beautiful people. They make sure you eat, they give you what you need, and most of all they supply transportation in case you have no money. Bethlehem House has done a lot for me and they made me feel at home. The Staff taught me to discipline my children and I have learned to accept my changes. I thank the Bethlehem Shelter, and most of all “God” for providing me with these beautiful people. I am very thankful for what they have done for me I will never forget them. May God Bless them all!”

Ms. Perez, having escaped an abusive situation, stayed at Bethlehem House Shelter in St. Croix for six (6) months in 2000. She is now gainfully employed, and is living in her own apartment with her children.