Marissa Clendenin, Asia Clendenin and Ruby Cioppa celebrate New Year’s Eve at Sisterhood Agenda’s Youth Extravaganza on Friday, December 31.
As millions penned in to Times Square in New York City on New Year’s Eve to watch the ball drop and ring in 2011, closer to home 38 youth gathered for a fun and safe night with the Sisterhood/Brotherhood Agenda at the Department of Sports and Recreation Center in Cruz Bay.
Coordinated with schools in the St. John school district, V.I. Police Department, the and St. John Community Foundation, the Sisterhood/Brotherhood Agenda New Year’s Eve Youth Extravaganza was a unique event that offered a safe space, allowing parents to drop off their children to celebrate the new year in a fun and safe way.
The first year was a successful one for Sisterhood Agenda. Sponsored by local businesses on St. John and staffed by volunteers, the Youth Extravaganza was more than a one-day event. It is a locally-based nonprofit initiative that will continue throughout the year.
“It was truly a community effort,” said Angela Coleman, President of Sisterhood Agenda, who believes that everyone came together for the kids. “The vibes were right and it was so much fun. Now that we opened the new year in such a positive way, we are looking forward to giving them effective and coordinated youth services throughout the year.”
The event included admission to the dance party, a safe and fun environment, food, beverages including a sparkling apple cider New Year’s toast at midnight and glow-in-the-dark fun toy.
Youth were also able to register for manhood and womanhood training in 2011, which deals with gender-specific youth development activities that prevent gang violence, teen pregnancy, and drug abuse.
Business support was received from the following corporate sponsors: Grande Bay, Love City Ferries, The Marketplace, St. John Insurance Company, PostNet, The Lime Inn, Drift Away Spa, Boyson Transportation, Chelsea Drug Store, Morgan’s Mango, Senator Craig Barshinger and Per Ankh University.
Sisterhood Agenda wishes to thank all of the hardworking volunteers who made the event successful: Jan Perkins, who received Sisterhood Agenda’s Community Service Award, Celia Kalousek, Bonnie Corbeil and Nancy Clendinen.
Sisterhood Agenda’s Global Training Academy is based on St. John. With its large youth focus and Brotherhood Agenda division, Sisterhood Agenda creates strong families and builds better communities by promoting empowerment and collaboration.
For more information on Sisterhood Agenda, contact Coleman at 340-714-7076, email acoleman@sisterhoodagenda.com or visit www.sisterhoodagenda.com.