Who would have ever expected that an application from The Source to compete in the “King of the Wing” competition on St. Thomas in the US Virgin Islands this past June, could lead to the possibility of a Dignity Bus being loaded onto a barge and shipped to the territory to serve their homeless population?
The culinary team from The Source was hoping to take their award-winning wings to the top spot. However, and even sweeter than winning the competition, they had the opportunity to share their blueprint for success in helping the homeless. They made new and positive relationships while showcasing what The Source and their Dignity Programs have accomplished in transforming lives and advancing people out of homelessness.
The timing couldn’t have been better. As it turned out, a number of key leaders in the islands are currently creating a vision of opportunities to help solve their homeless issues on St. Thomas, St. Croix and St. John. Recognizing their critical need for beds and the limited housing available for their most needy has been at the forefront of their renewed efforts to find the funding and the staff to make their dream a reality.
Meeting The Source during their first encounter at the wing event was followed with a trip in August by Anthony Zorbaugh, Executive Director of The Source, who traveled there to meet with representatives of the VI Continuum of Care Council on Homelessness (VICOC), the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI), various churches, non-profits and other local organizations about what steps they can take moving forward. Ultimately, that trip was followed by another, this time to Vero Beach in early September by Suzanne Darrow-Magras, PhD., Director, Center for Excellence in Leadership and Learning at UVI and Secretary/Treasurer of the VICOC. Dr. Magras is one of the leaders working with others across the territory eagerly hoping to get their plans into action. She and her husband Dana, toured the Source campuses, met members and saw how The Source’s programs and services operate for the benefit of the homeless in Indian River County.
Both Dr. Magras and Zorbaugh agree, “This relationship is in the early stages of us becoming partners in this crusade to help the homeless in the US Virgin Islands. The pieces of making this a reality are possible. We are hoping that the start of this process could begin as early as the close of 2025.”
I am Ministries, DBA The Source is a Christian social outreach ministry that has been empowering communities into a lifestyle of service for the homeless since 1995. Founded in Indian River County, the organization serves its homeless neighbors through a myriad of core programs and services that instill a sense of community. For more information on The Source, contact Executive Director Anthony Zorbaugh or Development Director Jonathan Orozco at 772-564-0202, or visit www.iamthesource.org . For information on the homeless issues on the British Virgin Island or to become involved in their pursuit, reach out to Dr. Suzanne Magras, PhD., Director, Center for Excellence in Leadership and Learning at the University of the Virgin Islands, (340) 693-1101.
