Please join us for our 2nd Annual Donor Reception - Champions of Advocacy - on Thursday, January 25, 2024 at 6:00 pm at Yacht Haven Grande St. Thomas Social Lawn. Tickets are $125 and can be purchased in advance or at the event. Please RSVP to events@vijustice.org or by calling (340-774-6504).

The VI Justice Initiative will give an ethics presentation to Virgin Islands Attorneys at the Virgin Islands Bar Association Annual Meeting on December 8, 2023 from 1:25 p.m. to 2:10 p.m. at the Westin at Frenchman's Reef in St. Thomas. This presentation will provide ethics Continuing Legal Education (CLE) credits for Virgin Islands attorneys on the topic of Interest On Lawyer Trust Accounts (IOLTA).

VI Justice Initiative Executive Director, Casey Payton, is currently serving a 3-year appointment to the Virgin Islands IOLTA Board. The National Association of IOLTA Programs (NAIP) invited Casey to participate in the 2023 ABA & NAIP Joint IOLTA Conference in Columbus, OH from November 1-3, 2023.

At the VI Bar Association Annual Meeting on December 8, 2023, Casey and Amaris Torres-Rivera, Executive Director of IOLTA Puerto Rico, will report back to the Virgin Islands Bar Association on the advancements and national trends in IOLTA -- including a racial justice perspective -- and current professional responsibility requirements for attorneys in the Virgin Islands.

The 2nd Annual Harvest Festival & Pumpkin Patch will take place at Magens Bay on Saturday, October 14, 2023 from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. This event benefits the Virgin Islands Justice Initiative’s Fiscal Sponsorship at the Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands.

Come celebrate and recognize Virgin Islands artists age 5-19 who submitted original artwork for the inaugural Picture VI Justice Youth Art Contest on September 29, 2023 at 5:30 pm at 81C Art Gallery.

Youth were tasked with thinking about all of the people who live in the Virgin Islands and imagine Justice for all and to draw a picture of what Justice for all looks like. Youth artwork and artist statements will be displayed. Light refreshments will be served.

This contest is open to all youth ages 5-19. Each individual may enter up to 3 original pieces. Art can be from any 2-dimensional medium, such as pencil, pen, paint, crayons, embroidery, digital tools, etc. We encourage you to keep your original entry because the winners may have an opportunity to have their artwork displayed. Artwork may be featured in Virgin Islands Justice Initiative materials, exhibits, or other communications. Contest winners will receive recognition, cash prizes, and awards.

Join us for a presentation on immigration with translation service in French Creole in St. Thomas. Bring your questions for the attorney presenters.

Join us for a presentation on immigration with translation service in Spanish in St. Croix. Bring your questions for the attorney presenters.

The Virgin Islands Sandcastle Festival will be a free community event, which will also serve as a benefit. This event is intended to engage our community with fun, safe, kid-friendly activities that bring the entire family together. Funds will be raised primarily through event sponsors – allowing eventgoers access to experience this unique event at no cost. This family-friendly event will include a vendor area selling all the local treats that we love so much, entertainment, and a Kids Zone.

This festival is an example of our organization’s commitment to providing a benefit to the population that we serve in all aspects of the work that we do. Instead of hosting an exclusive black-tie gala fundraiser, our organization will host a free community event, which will also serve as a benefit. This event is intended to engage our community with fun, safe, kid-friendly activities that bring the entire family together. Funds will be raised primarily through event sponsors – allowing eventgoers access to the event at no cost.

Reception and community outreach at My Brother's Workshop to provide trainers, trainees and their families with an introduction to the Youth Restorative Justice Program. Attorney Kahlida Lloyd, Founder & President of Mission Reconcile will speak on the importance of restorative justice within the Virgin Islands Community. Trainees will be able to ask questions and receive legal information about the expungement process and we will have a discussion on knowing your rights when confronted by law enforcement.

The Harvest Festival & Pumpkin Patch weaves traditional agricultural elements and new fall activities that are perfect for families with children. This event will include adult and youth vendors selling harvest themed snacks and treats, a farmer’s market, a small stage with youth performers, and a Kids Zone with a pumpkin patch, tractor hayride, face painting, pumpkin painting, games and activities for small children. Families will be able to interact with local farmers, take pictures with and ask questions about the farm equipment on display at the event. Competitions include the best dish, dessert, or beverage made with local pumpkin, pumpkin painting competition, raffle, and prizes for kids. The first 100 event goers will receive a goodie bag with a free ticket on the tractor hayride to ensure that cost is not an obstacle and that all Virgin Islanders can participate in the festivities.