~Who We ARe~

The St. John Revolving Fund (SJRF) is a type of community financial safety net. It began with a simple act of kindness and continues in that manner.

Since 1995, SJRF has helped over 350 individuals and currently has approximately 35 recipients receiving financial assistance. Over time, the mission expanded to include serving as an umbrella organization for community-based initiatives to enable tax-deductible donations to support the residents of St. John in their times of need. As of December 2023, the SJRF operates as a Field of Interest Fund under the umbrella of the Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands, Inc.

~OuR StoRy~

Connections of St John, Inc., since its inception in 1983, has been the communication hub for St. John. After Hurricane Marilyn, it became a base of operations. Everyone who could, made their way to Cruz Bay to post messages and updates about friends and family and recovery information.

A couple of days after Marilyn, Laurie Tittle, a nurse at Myrah Keating Smith Health Care Center, and her husband, Terry Tittle, came to Connections with a plan to help St Johnians recover. Laurie brought two of her paychecks totaling about $1000. Their idea was to help St Johnians by creating a non-profit St John Revolving Fund. People who had emergency medical needs and no other financial resources could apply for an interest-free loan with a repayment schedule, thereby, keeping funds available for the next person in need

~OuR StoRy~

~OuR StoRy (continued)~

...SJRF was able to help people get their prescription glasses replaced, prescriptions filled, medical needs, emergency transportation, and more during the hurricane recovery phase and then to continue to help the community for the next 25 years.

Over time, SJRF was able to expand the vision of the Tittles by becoming a "receivership" for fund-raising causes, such as surgeries, homes & businesses destroyed by fires, funeral expenses and many other circumstances with unexpected financial hardship involved...

Over time, SJRF has also been able to donate to other island non-profit organizations such as the St John Cancer Fund, Island Health & Wellness Center's Prescription Revolving Fund, St John Rescue's Paramedic Training and the Search Team Fund for missing persons, Our Lady of Mount Carmel's Homeless shelter, Community Foundation of Virgin Islands and more!

Young Moko Jumbies Photo: Barbara Young

~OuR Team~

Cid Hamling- Board President

There are so many aspects of living on St John that bring me happiness and a sense of purpose - the beauty, weather, safety and, above all, the sense of community. The St John Revolving Fund has been a great source of pride for me, the Board and all involved. To be able to provide emotional and financial support for people in need in a timely manner is very gratifying.

Christie Register - Board Member

Christie has always been a huge supporter of health and human services related non-profits on St. John. She owns the iconic Windmill Bar in Susannaberg, St. John and regularly hosts fundraisers at the site and generously donates to support the well-being of our island community. An RN since 1995 and chemo nurse since 2017, Christie is a natural caregiver and brings that warmth and kindness to the board of SJRF. She also has a legal background and has been licensed to practice law in the state of Georgia since 1998. In this busy lady's "spare" time, she continues to care for patients by filling in at St. Thomas Cancer Care and assisting with Island IV on St. John. She began a program with SJRF that supplies funding for IV treatments for cancer patients.

Leslie McKibben - Board Member

I am the newest board member of SJRF and was honored when asked to join. I was inspired to work with SJRF for several reasons. First - I have been the recipient of this fund and know what an asset it is to our wonderful community. Secondly my husband and I have donated to causes associated with SJRF both privately and through our donations from Trivia and Cookies for Community- an ongoing means to provide funding to local non profits on St John. St John is the definition of what community should be. We all come together in times of need. We embrace our differences and help people grow and celebrate our island family. St John is a wonderful culmination of history, growth, fellowship and love.

Simonia Dagou- Board Member

I was asked to join the board of St. John Revolving Fund in 2021 and I do not regret my decision to do so. Working as Administrative Assistant at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church (OLMC) in Cruz Bay afforded me the opportunity to work with several non-profit organizations, including SJRF. I saw first-hand their work in the community assisting individuals in need. I'm glad to be part of SJRF to continue the work that was started. Although my work at OLMC keeps me busy, I am almost always willing to lend an ear or helping hand.

Hillary Bonner- Tech & Public Relations

When Cid asked me to help with the St. John Revolving Fund website, I didn't have to think twice! This fund is SO incredibly important to our remote island community and it is high time the story of this remarkable organization be told! I'm honored to be tasked with creating a timeline and sharing the story for this fund that supports Love City community members in their times of need.

Barbara Hervey- Gratitude Distribution

Barbara Hervey has been a resident of STJ since 2000 and has always tried to help to support our community. "When the SJRF needed help I was honored to step up to the plate and assist. Not only do I get to work with some amazing people but also I get to see people's lives improve because of the support they have received from Love City."

Deb Schlosser - Business Ninja

Deb first arrived on St. John in 1992 and found home and a rare community. She returned stateside and honed her business skills but came home to the Virgin Islands in 2013 with her husband, Steve. They spent several years chartering in the beautiful VI waters, then Deb ventured back to her business administration superpowers. She is ecstatic to support the St. John community, especially with her role at the St. John Revolving Fund.

Empowering our Youth

As part of one of the four National Honor Society (NHS) pillars of service, Gifft Hill School NHS members lent a hand recently to the St. John Revolving Fund (administered by the Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands) by scanning and digitizing years of documents. As a "thank you," the Revolving Fund made a $500 donation to NHS, the cost of which was covered by a grant from the Rotary Club of St. John.

Give to Gifft Hill School

~Who We ARe~

~OuR StoRy~

~OuR StoRy (continued)~

Empowering our Youth

We get by With a Little Help From our Friends! We wouldn't be able to do what we do without the assistance and support of our community partners!

We get by With a Little Help From our Friends!
We wouldn't be able to do what we do without the assistance and support of our community partners!