Category Archives: Outreach
MJUs Coming to a Neighborhood Near You
Attorneys Will Use Mobile Justice Units for Legal Services
With a national grant from the Legal Services Corporation in Washington, D.C., the Legal Services of the Virgin Islands Inc. now can visit remote areas to help people without transportation deal with their legal needs, even when the internet and power grid are down.
One of two units was on display on Tuesday at Emancipation Park in Frederiksted. The other van will be used in the St. Thomas/St. John District. Inside the vans, three desks and a waiting area allow pro bono (volunteer) attorneys to help more than one client at a time. There is a video conference system and printers for paperwork and legal documents. A wheelchair lift makes the van compliant with the Americans with Disability Act, and a satellite dish and generator create a hot spot wherever it is parked. Outside the vehicle, an attached awning provides shade, and a smart television is available for presentations.
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On Tuesday, September 29th, Legal Services of the Virgin Islands, Inc. (LSVI) debuted their mobile command center branded as the Mobile Justice Units (MJU) at Emancipation Park in Frederiksted. The introduction of these vehicles to the territory will support LSVI’s mission to access justice, protect rights, and educate people in poverty to empower them to move toward self-sufficiency and were made possible thru the support of a grant awarded by Legal Services Corporation.

LSVI Staff and Board Members at the Mobile Justice Unit Launch at Emancipation Park.

LSVI staff displays the wheelchair lift on the ADA-compliant Mobile Justice Unit.
“When people see the Mobile Justice Units, they will know
that critical help for the often neglected and disenfranchised citizens is closer than ever before. The LSVI Mobile Justice Units are coming to a neighborhood near you,” said Attorney Shelby
King Gaddy, Executive Director of Legal Services of the Virgin Islands, Inc.
In attendance were LSVI staff and board members, in addition to government officials, V.I. Police Commissioner Trevor Velinor, Deputy Police Commissioner Celvin Walwyn, Director of the Office of Disaster Recovery Adrienne Williams-Octalien, Administrator of the Courts Regina deChabert Petersen and Kandyia Rivera, a representative from the office of Delegate to Congress Stacey Plaskett.

Local Government officials were in attendance, from L. to R., Deputy Police Commissioner Celvin Walwyn, Director of the Office of Disaster Recovery Adrienne Williams-Octalien, Police Commissioner Trevor Velinor, LSVI Executive Director Shelby King Gaddy, Administrator of the Courts Regina deChabert Petersen, and Kandyia Rivera, serving as the Delegate to Congress’ representative.
LSVI will be holding the St.Thomas launch event on Wednesday, October 7th at the Fort Christian Parking lot (adjacent to Fort Christian) at 10:00 AM.

Saturday, October 13, 2018 Estate Planning

CONFERENCE ON AGING
In June of 2015, LSVI held a Conference on Aging in St. Croix and St. Thomas for the elderly in the Community. This Conference was one of our many outreach programs, but was directed primarily toward educating the elderly on various legal issues. At both conferences, there were numerous presentations that were held to include:
A presentation on Mental Health involving Alzheimer’s and Dementia by the Disability Rights Center of the Virgin Islands,
A presentation on Elder Abuse by the Women’s Coalition of St. Croix, Family Resource Center on St. Thomas and the Virgin Islands Human Services: Adult Protective Services,
A presentation on the State of Senior Citizen Affairs by the Virgin Islands Human Services,
A presentation on Wills, Deeds and Advanced Directives: Estate Planning by LSVI,
A presentation on Seniors Medicare Patrol by the Virgin Islands Human Services, and
A presentation on Consumer Protection For Seniors: Identity Theft & Scams by the Virgin Islands Division of Licensing and Consumer Affairs & AARP.
We were able to provide breakfast and lunch for all participants and at the end of the conference every attendee left with a goodie bag that was filled with trinkets donated by various Virgin Islands organizations. The attendees had a great time learning about these different legal aspects that may arise as they age. At the end of the conference we received many thanks for holding an event to inform the elderly of their rights and legalities that they need to be aware of. This program was held in conjunction with the Department of Human Services. We look forward to continuing to provide legal education and outreach to the members of this beautiful community!