Building great communities takes time – but small, tangible improvements can spark lasting change. That’s the idea behind the AARP Community Challenge, a grant program launched in 2017 to support quick-action projects that enhance livability nationwide.
As the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) leads Identity Theft Awareness Week this January, AARP is reminding U.S. Virgin Islands residents that identity theft remains a growing threat across the nation — and that our island communities are not immune.
An AARP-sponsored report from Javelin Strategy & Research shows that American adults lost $47 billion to identity fraud and scams in 2024. Given USVI’s frequent use of mail services, its high reliance on digital banking, and recurring reports of phishing and impersonation scams targeting local consumers, heightened awareness is essential.
“Social Security numbers in particular are like gold to criminals hoping to perpetrate identity fraud, which often leaves victims to ‘face a daunting and frustrating process to reclaim their identity,’” said Bill Sweeney, AARP Senior Vice President for Government Affairs.
Residents of the U.S. Virgin Islands can take practical steps to reduce risk and protect their personal information.
At AARP Virgin Islands, we are committed to uplifting the cultural traditions that strengthen our community and connect generations. This past weekend, the 27th Annual Bordeaux Farmers Agricultural & Cultural Vegan Food Fair on St. Thomas once again showcased the resilience, creativity, and agricultural brilliance of our Virgin Islands community. As proud supporters of the event, we were especially honored to sponsor its beloved highlight — the Coal Pot Lighting Competition.
This year, the celebration was even more meaningful for our AARP family: Mr. Rabsatt — an AARP VI volunteer and proud resident of St. John — won the Coal Pot Lighting Competition, demonstrating exceptional skill, cultural pride, and mastery of this cherished tradition.
Join AARP on St. Croix and St. Thomas for a FREE screening of "Wuthering Heights." This film features Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi in Emerald Fennell’s bold and erotically charged adaptation of the classic story of obsessive love and social constraints.
On July 7, 2025 AARP VI State Director, Troy De Charbet-Schuster was invited by Senator at Large, Angel L. Bolques, Jr. to testify before Honorable Senator Ray Fonseca, Chair of the Committee on Health, Hospitals, and Human Services and the Senators of the 36th Legislature. De Charbet-Schuster testified in favor of Bill No. 36-0003, an Act to Establish Nursing Home and Assisted Living Care Standards in the Virgin Islands.
This lively USVI carnival is both the celebration of Emancipation Day (which marks the end of slavery in the Virgin Islands on July 3, 1848), as well as the founding of the United States on July 4, 1776. AARP VI is looking forward to joining the celebration!
Hundreds of AARP volunteers and staff from all 50 states, USVI, and Puerto Rico are in D.C. today with one powerful message for lawmakers: protect what matters most to older Americans.
Join AARP VI in celebration of the 90th Anniversary of Social Security! Enter our "Win It Like You EARNED It" sweepstakes for your chance to win $1,000! Now, THAT'S cause for celebration!
For the last two years, AARP - Virgin Islands has been working alongside local legislators to push through the Opioid Notification Bill No. 36-0021, and yesterday Governor Albert Bryan, Jr. signed this bill into law! Bill No. 36-0021 requires healthcare providers to disclose the risks associated with opioid use, helping patients make informed decisions. This bill complements prior legislative efforts supported by AARP, including the recent establishment of the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) and the creation of the Opioid Abatement Fund. Together, these efforts advance the work of combating opioid misuse and protecting public health in our territory.
AARP, which advocates for the more than 100 million older Americans aged 50 and older, including the 20,000 living in this Territory, is pleased to release a joint statement in recognition of June as Elder Abuse Awareness Month. This month is recognized globally as a time to raise awareness and inspire action to prevent abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older people.
AARP-Virgin Islands reminds Virgin Islanders that we are now in the “11th hour” before our 36th Legislature revisits a critical public health crisis that affects every one of us. Earlier this year, in April, State Director Troy A. De Chabert-Schuster testified before the Committee on Health, Hospitals and Human Services to contribute to the critical discussion about protecting a patient’s right to know about the risks associated with opioid misuse. This testimony was presented in support of Bill No. 36-0021, which requires a practitioner to discuss certain information with a patient when prescribing opioids. As a former pharmacy owner, he gave intimate details of how he witnessed the devastating impacts of opioid misuse.
With fraud losses among older adults on the rise, AARP Virgin Islands is ramping up its efforts to educate residents and push for stronger laws to protect them.