My Brother’s Workshop has announced plans to build its new campus consisting of 30,000 sq. ft. in total that will be located mid-island on Donoe Bypass and serve clients from St. Thomas and St. John with the capacity to see over 1,000 students.
The Stephenson family, longtime residents and business owners in the U.S. Virgin Islands and supporters of MBW, have pledged to match all cash and in-kind donations made to the MBW Campus over the next 365 days up to $1 million. The family’s history in the USVI dates back to 2003, during which time it has been an active champion and supporter of community initiatives and charities that include Cancer Support VI, Jazz in the Park, The Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands, and the $2M Help USVI Now! hurricane relief fund.
The Stephensons, under the leadership of Richard J. Stephenson, have always prioritized philanthropic and community interests as part of their moral code and genetic constitution to help others who are less well off. Mr. Stephenson is also the founder and chairman of the Cancer Treatment Centers of America® (CTCA) and Gateway for Cancer Research, providing a nationally recognized, patient-first, holistic model of treatment and healing, and raising millions for cutting-edge clinical trials around the world.
“With generous donations such as this one from the Stephenson family, not only are we able to keep our doors open, but this validates the work of MBW as important and necessary, giving us added inspiration to continue,” said Jenny Hawkes, MBW’s executive director. “Through donations, our private sector can be engaged in helping find solutions to issues and bring the community together.”
MBW’s Main Campus has a 3- to 4-year timeline and will be comprised of three structures, totaling 30,000 square feet and eventually allowing for more than 1,000 people per year to receive vocational training, mentoring, mental health counseling, tutoring, online high school diplomas, job placement services, anger management and parenting classes, as well as access to art, music, and sports.
The current MBW St. Thomas footprint spans three locations and is about 15,000 square feet. By doubling the space, the organization will have the ability to become energy efficient with solar panels, offer more effective training, provide mental health resources (including family counseling and individual counseling), classrooms for high school diplomas and continuing education, youth development, special needs training, free services to the USVI community, resiliency and sustainability programs, and increased disaster response capacity.
The project will be completed in phases, beginning with Phase 1: the construction of the Stephenson Family Welcome Center. To date, $1M, which is 25% of the goal for Phase 1, has been raised by MBW sponsors. All donations made to the capital campaign at this time will go towards Phase 1. With the announcement of the $1M match by the Stephenson Family, MBW will be able to begin construction on its Main Campus.
The following phases will include construction of the new MBW Workshop and the MBW Community Center.
To donate to the MBW Campus Project, visit https://www.classy.org/campaign/Building-Hope/c290934. For more information on the project and programs or to learn about sponsorship opportunities, please contact MBW Communications Manager Chrystie Payne at cpayne@mybrothersworkshop.org.
