Scott Bradley: My Brother's Workshop
Scott J. Bradley has been living in the Virgin Islands since 2002. He is a retired industrial engineer from southern Maine, and is responsible for putting My Brother's Workshop together since 2007. Most of Scott's career was spent in urban environments that had been experiencing the same issues with the youth as St. Thomas is beginning to. In putting My Brother's Workshop together, he hopes to provide a positive alternative for the youth.
Scott shared a slide shop presentation which outlined the 'who we are, and what we do' concepts of My Brother's Workshop. It also showed a few of the projects that the youths renovated or repaired. These projects included a new roof for Bethlehem House, new classrooms for schools, and a bunk bed for a family in need.
My Brother's Workshop is a non-profit orgnization that provides paid voctional training to disadvantaged youth ages 16 to 24. The training includes basic construction, plumbing, and electrical skills developed through hands-on work projects in the US Virgin Islands. The disadvantaged youth include those who have dropped out or been expelled from school. Many live in poverty and are exposed to drugs and violence on a daily basis. Some even have been involved in crimes or been in a gang.
The program gives these young people another chance. Since 2008 the program has helped over 80% of its partic ipants either gain employment or continue their eduction. The program encourages the trainees to volunteer in the community through renovating or repairing a community resource. To date the trainees have volunteered over 6000 hours.
Ninety percent of the funding comes from paid work projects and most of that money is paid out to the trainees; the other 10% of funding comes from donations aor grants which cover other expenses. The program consists of young men; however, it is anticipate that young women would be added in the future. In order for the program to accept more disadvanged young people, My Brother's Workshop need YOU. Part-time trainers are accepted and whatever your concentration--administration, fund raising, etc., you can help. PLEASE SUPPORT IN WHATEVER WAY THAT YOU CAN. THIS IS ONE WAY THAT YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN SOMEONE'S LIFE AND GIVE HOPE. As Scott says: "Volunteering changes the heart".
Call Scott at (340) 776-8255; (340) 514-8303 or fax (340) 777-9820
Write to him at: Box 301769, St. Thomas, VI 00803 or e-mail mybrothersworkshop@hotmail.com
DO IT TODAY!