On Friday, September 19th, 2025, AARP Virgin Islands State Director Troy De Chabert-Schuster, is set to testify before the 36th Legislature of the Virgin Islands in support of amendments to the territory’s Elder and Dependent Adult Abuse Prevention Act (Bill 36-0099).
This past summer, AARP Virgin Islands (AARP VI), in partnership with the Virgin Islands Department of Human Services, successfully convened the first two of three Elder Justice Summit sessions. These gatherings brought together legislators, financial professionals, advocates, legal professionals, first responders, law enforcement, and mandated reporters. The consensus was clear: existing protections are insufficient. Findings from the first two sessions have shaped AARP VI’s legislative priorities, and the organization has pledged to lead the charge in advancing changes that will safeguard the financial futures of our elders.
AARP VI has already briefed Senators Novelle E. Francis, Jr., Avery L. Lewis, Kurt A. Vialet, Kenneth L. Gittens, and Marvin A. Blyden of the 36th Legislature, and has engaged the Lieutenant Governor’s Office.
AARP VI is thrilled to announce that the first financial institution in the Virgin Islands to join us in the fight against fraud is FirstBank Virgin Islands. After the August 21st Elder Justice Summit, representatives from FirstBank Virgin Islands left energized and inspired to protect Virgin Islanders against fraud and financial exploitation. This week, FirstBank Virgin Islands became the first in the territory to enroll in the AARP BankSafe training program.
Are you interested enhancing your skills and knowledge of newer technology? There is still space available to sign up for the Digital Bridge Initiative. Technology continues to advance at a rapid rate. Whether you want to keep in touch with your loved ones, share photos, or even make a video call, learning the latest technology is more important than ever. More than the social aspect, as the digital world advances, online scammers become more sophisticated. You need the knowledge to protect your information from digital fraud. The Digital Bridge Initiative is a FREE digital literacy project led by the Virgin Islands Youth Advocacy Coalition, Inc. (VIYAC) and funded by AARP through the annual AARP Challenge Grant.
Food is love. Food is community. Food is culture and history. AARP VI wants to highlight Virgin Islands' cuisine and the people who cook from the heart. We want to proudly feature a YOUR favorite family recipe on our webpage and in our newsletter!
Mientras que una gran parte de la población en Islas Vírgenes se considera hispano, cuando se trata de celebrar las contribuciones de los hispanos en las islas, todas se unen a las festividades.
In the Thursday May 26, 2016, Board of Trustees meeting of the Government Employees’ Retirement System (GERS), the vice-chairman of the board Judge Edgar Ross after a lengthy discussion on the provisions in Title 3, Chapter 27 Sections 718 and 718(a), and Chapter 28A, Sections 767 and 767a of the Virgin Islands Code, made a motion consistent with the law in Sections 718 and 767 (regular retirees) and 718a and 767a (early retirement program). The motion, effective immediately, directed the Administrator not to pay new benefits unless the total costs of benefits are paid by the plan sponsor (Government of the Virgin Islands) in accordance with the law. The motion failed on a tied vote. Notwithstanding, the Administrator was directed to enforce the law.
Virgin Islanders who care for an aging loved one at home just got a huge boost of support from the legislature. A new law, which took effect March 30, improves communication and coordination between hospitals and family caregivers.
Español Want to save some tax money and ensure you can stay in your home as you age? You can save as much as 20% on your property taxes for up to 10 years if you plan ahead.
If you visited the AARP Virgin Islands booth at the Agricultural Fair in February, you were given information about the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) and the survey that is being done in the territory. The BRFSS is a project within the VI Department of Health’s Chronic Disease Prevention Program which is tasked with compiling health studies on various topics. The studies are completed using data received from Virgin Islands residents. The studies are very important to the territory as a whole. They are used for a variety of purposes including: 1) to help the Department of Health identify community health needs 2) to help apply for various health grants 3) to help policy makers make decisions based on the actual needs of the community and 4) to identify the types of health care personnel that the territory needs to recruit.
“The consumer has more power than they think,” stated Devin Carrington, the Commissioner of the Virgin Islands Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs (DLCA) at a recent Town Hall meeting on St. Thomas, “Too often we depend on the government to do everything, but we, as consumers need to work in solidarity and not allow businesses to provide us with products or services that are not up to standard.”
English En un movimiento sorpresa, el Gobernador de las Islas Vírgenes Kenneth E. Mapp vetó el proyecto de ley de Cuidado o en ingles CARE (proyecto de ley Nº 31-0237) a finales de marzo citando numerosas preocupaciones como justificación para su veto. La oficina de AARP Islas Virgenes recibió la notificación del veto, el sábado 26 de marzo durante el fin de semana de días feriados y comemoraciones de Pascua.
En Español In a surprise move, Virgin Islands Governor Kenneth E. Mapp vetoed the Caregiving Bill (Bill Number 31-0237) late in March citing numerous concerns as justification for his veto. The AARP VI office received notification of the veto on Saturday, March 26 in the middle of the Easter Holiday weekend.