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Committee on Culture, Youth, Aging, Sports and Parks - Legislature of the United States Virgin Islands Close About Us History Functions and Structure FY 2026 Budget Honor Roll Rules of the 36th Legislative Youth Advisory Council Application Careers Archives Legislative Archives Tours × St. Thomas Senators  St. John Senators  St.Croix Senators  Districts All Senators St. Croix St. Thomas - St. John Senator at Large × Committees Committee of the Whole Budget, Appropriation and Finance Culture, Youth, Aging, Sports, and Parks Disaster Recovery, Infrastructure and Planning Economic Development and Agriculture Education and Workforce Development Government Operations, Veteran Affairs and Consumer Protection Health, Hospitals and Human Services Homeland Security, Justice and Public Safety Housing, Transportation and Telecommunications Rules and Judiciary Session Folder × No event found! Calendars Bi-Weekly Senate Calendar Session Agenda × General Senators Committees Media Calendars Contact Committee on Culture, Youth, Aging, Sports and Parks The Committee on Culture, Youth, Aging, Sports, and Parks will convene a legislative hearing to examine the pressing and multifaceted challenges affecting the youth of the Virgin Islands. This hearing will explore the intersections of public health, education, economic opportunity, and community support as they relate to youth development, safety, and success—particularly in the face of rising violence, trauma, and systemic inequity. Through testimony from government agencies, nonprofit leaders, educators, and young people themselves, the Committee seeks to identify legislative and policy solutions that address root causes, close opportunity gaps, and foster a stronger, more equitable future for the territory’s next generation. BLOCK I                                                                                                                            10:00 A.M. – 12:30 P.M. Healing Our Youth: Mental Health, Intervention, Government & Community Services & Support          During this Block, the Committee will receive testimony and examine the rise of youth violence in the Virgin Islands as a public health emergency that demands a comprehensive, trauma-informed response. This segment seeks to uncover the root causes of trauma and aggression among young people, while evaluating the availability, accessibility, and cultural relevance of behavioral health services across the territory. The Committee will explore how schools, law enforcement, and grassroots organizations are working—both independently and collaboratively—to interrupt cycles of harm and deliver mental health support, crisis intervention, and violence prevention services. Special attention will be given to prevention models, early intervention strategies, and community-based programs that provide safe spaces, foster emotional resilience, and build trust between youth and institutions. The overarching goal is to assess the territory’s current response capacity and identify actionable, sustainable strategies to promote healing, safety, and long-term well-being for all young people. Invited Testifiers: Honorable Justa Encarnacion , Commissioner, Virgin Islands Department of Health Mr. Antonio Emanuel , Director, Office of Gun Violence Prevention Honorable Dionne Wells-Hedrington, EdD , Commissioner, Virgin Islands Department of Education Honorable Mario Brooks , Commissioner, Virgin Islands Police Department Honorable Averil George , Commissioner, Department of Human Services Honorable Gordon Rhea, Esq. , Attorney General Virgin Islands Department of Justice – Juvenile Division Mr. Moleto A. Smith Jr. , Director, Law Enforcement Planning Commission (LEPC) Youth-Focused Nonprofit Organizations: My Brother’s Workshop Youth Against Gun Violence St. Croix Foundation The Village Partners in Recovery Public Witness Panel: Testimony from individuals with lived experience   LUNCH                                                                                                                                          12:30 P.M. – 1:00 P.M.   BLOCK II                                                                                                                             1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M.   Expanding Youth Opportunities: Community Access, Workforce Development, Education & Equity   This Block will continue the Committee’s in-depth review and shift the focus to the long-term structural conditions shaping youth success in the Virgin Islands. This segment will assess educational access, vocational training, and workforce readiness disparities. The Committee will examine data on school dropout rates, employment trends, and the underutilization of existing youth development programs. Invited agencies and stakeholders will offer insights into challenges and gaps within afterschool services, technical career education, and youth employment pathways. Testifiers will be asked to recommend legislative and policy solutions to strengthen school-to-career pipelines, improve equity in public programs, and expand youth opportunity through culturally rooted, community-based initiatives such as recreation, sports, and the arts as essential tools for youth empowerment and engagement, along with recommendations for the support of programs and services concerning the youth of the Virgin Islands. Invited Testifiers: Dr. Haldane Davies , Director, Virgin Islands Bureau of Economic Research Honorable Dionne Wells-Hedrington , EdD , Commissioner, Virgin Islands Department of Education Ms. Genevieve Whitaker , Executive Director, Career & Technical Education Board Honorable Gary Molloy , Commissioner, Department of Labor Honorable Averil George , Commissioner, Department of Human Services Honorable Vincent Roberts , Commissioner, VI Department of Sports, Parks & Recreation Mr. Julio Rhymer , Director, Office of Management & Budget Community Stakeholders Panel: Youth Organization Leaders Youth Empowerment and Recreation Program Providers + Add to Google Calendar + iCal / Outlook export Tags: challenges affecting the youth of the Virgin Islands , Expanding Youth Opportunities: Community Access Workforce Development Education & Equity , Healing Our Youth: Mental Health Intervention Government & Community Services & Support Date Oct 31 2025 Expired! Time 10:00 am Location Frits E. Lawaetz Legislative Conference Room St. Croix Category Culture, Youth, Aging, Sports, and Parks Organizer Senator Angel L. Bolques, Jr. Phone 340-774-0880 Email SenatorBolques@legvi.org Quick Links Home Senators Committees Media News Contact Important Links Revised Organic Act of 1954 (PDF) 36th Oath of Office Booklet 100 Day Report Rules of the 36th Public Information or Archives Request Search for: Follow Follow Follow Follow