Rebecca Hughson

In 2022, AARP VI proudly awarded a Community Challenge grant to the St. Croix Orchid Society, Inc., an exciting step toward revitalizing the historic Orchid House at the St. George Village Botanical Garden, which had suffered damage from Hurricane Maria. The dedicated repairs included replacing the ridgepole and rafters, adding new shade cloth, updating the grillwork, and enhancing the irrigation system. After three years of hard work and determination, the Orchid House has been beautifully restored and now shines as a key attraction in the garden!

Join AARP VI at Caribbean Cinemas on October 23rd for a FREE screening of "Regretting You." The movie on St. Croix will start at 6:30 PM, while the St. Thomas screening will begin at 7:00 PM. Registration is FREE for everyone, and you do not need to be a member to enjoy the event!

AARP VI and the VI Department of Human Services will collaborate to host the third component of their Elder Justice Summit: Safeguarding Older Virgin Islanders, Supporting Caregivers, on Monday, September 29, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at My Brother’s Workshop Campus, St. Thomas, VI (behind Home Depot).

Learning and growing as a caregiver is a responsibility that is ongoing, and the caregiver’s self-care can be overlooked or buried beneath an avalanche of scheduled responsibilities. The question ‘what about me’ can often be viewed as a luxury item when continued support is a necessity. Discovering when to take time for self-care is a skill that requires development and must resonate at the heart of all caregivers. Learning how to take time for self-care may be challenged by several barriers, which may include limiting beliefs, adjusting to role reversals and implementing new structures for caring. Caregiving can also contribute to behavioral health concerns such as burnout, negative self-talk, depression, compassion fatigue and loneliness. In short, the journey of caregiving is a uniquely personal experience.

After two years of hard work, the amendments to the Elder and Dependent Adult Abuse Prevention Act (Bill 36-0099) passed unanimously today before the 36th Legislature. AARP VI testified in support of the amendments to the territory’s Elder and Dependent Adult Abuse Prevention Act (Bill 36-0099). This Bill was sponsored by Senator-at-Large Angel L. Bolques, Jr. "Elder abuse is not an abstract problem - it is a harsh reality in our islands. Too often, it is hidden in silence, whether in the form of financial exploitation, physical harm, neglect, or psychological manipulation. Each case represents not just a crime, but a betrayal of trust and a violation of the fundamental right to live with dignity and safety," stated AARP State Director Troy De Chabert-Schuster.

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!

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.

Here are some photo highlights from AARP Virgin Islands' 90th Anniversary Celebrations on August 14th and August 15th. The USVI really knows how to PARTY!