The John’s Folly Learning Institute is celebrating its 18th anniversary and founder Alvis Christian Sr. is looking to expand the institute’s after school programs for children on the isolated southeast end of St. John.
The refurbished building on the bluff overlooking John’s Folly Bay will mark its anniversary on Saturday, April 19, at noon with special quest speaker Donna M. Christensen, USVI Delegate to Congress.
A special guest at the anniversary celebration will be Paul Montiero, former Associate Director of the White House Office of Public Engagement.
After several years housing the fledgling St. John Montessori School, the John’s Folly Learning Institute is concentrating on filling the gap in after school programs for the growing number of children living in one of the most isolated areas of the island.
With the threatened closure of the Guy Benjamin School in Coral Bay, Christian sees an even more important role for JFLI to provide educational opportunities for students in the Coral Bay, Calabash Boom and John’s Folly neighborhoods.
“Now that GBS doesn’t have an after school program, JFLI needs teacher volunteers,” Christian said.
The facility also is available to other organizations for events, Christian said.
“The facility is open and available to public, non-profit organizations,” Christian said.
There is no fee for the use of the facility, he said, but organizations using the facility are expected to pay associated utility and maintenance costs.
One Cruz Bay church is already utilizing the facility for Sunday services for members in the surrounding community and other churches and non-profit organizations are welcome, Christian added.
