FAMILY RESOURCE CENTER, INC. (FRC) 2317 Commandant Gade St. Thomas, U.S.V.I. 00802 Telephone: 340-776-3966 @ Fax: 340-777-5994 Hotline: 340-776-STOP (7867) e Email: info@frcusvi.org Web Site: www.frcusvi.org In Strong Support of Bill No. 36-0114 Honoring Ms. Dilsa Capdeville Submitted by: Anya Stuart, Executive Director Family Resource Center, Inc. Before the Committee on Government Operations, Veteran Affairs and Consumer Protection 36th Legislature of the Virgin Islands Chairperson, Honorable Senators of the 36th Legislature and members of the Committee: Thank you for the opportunity to submit testimony on behalf of Family Resource Center, Inc. My name is Anya Stuart, Executive Director. Our organization remains steadfast in its mission to advocate for the safety, dignity, and well-being of individuals and families across the Virgin Islands. It is with great respect and deep appreciation that I submit this written testimony in strong support of Bill No. 36-0114. This bill seeks to honor and commend Ms. Dilsa Capdeville for her extensive and transformative contributions to the Virgin Islands community, and to rename the Bolongo Bay Head Start Facility as the “Dilsa Capdevilie Head Start Facility.” We fully support this measure. Ms. Capdeville’s legacy is one of extraordinary service, vision, and courage. Her work fundamentally reshaped the Territory’s response to domestic violence, child abuse, and trauma at a time when these issues were rarely acknowledged publicly.Long before domestic violence was openly discussed, long before trauma-informed care became standard practice, long before victims and survivors had a safe place to turn, Ms. Capdeville was already doing the work. She recognized the suffering that others overlooked and listened to the voices that society too often ignored. She refused to allow abuse to be normalized or hidden. Her commitment was not only professional; it was deeply personal and profoundly transformational. As one of the founders of Family Resource Center (FRC), Ms. Capdeville established the first safe, confidential space for victims and survivors in the Virgin Islands. She created a lifeline for individuals and families in crisis offering safety, support, and the possibility of healing. Her influence extended far beyond the walls of any single organization, She was: A champion for children A fierce advocate for early childhood education A mentor to emerging professionals in social services A voice for those who could not speak for themselves ~ Break the Silence Stop Family Violence~ Her leadership helped shape the Territory’s systems of crisis intervention, child advocacy, and community education. Her legacy is deeply embedded in the social services landscape we rely on today. Renaming the Bolongo Bay Head Start Facility in Ms. Capdeville’s honor is both appropriate and meaningful. She believed firmly that the earliest years of a child’s life set the foundation for their future. Her advocacy emphasized the importance of safety, stability, and nurturing environments for young children. A facility bearing her name will stand as a testament to her values and her life’s work. It will signal to families that this is a place grounded in compassion, dignity, and opportunity principles she championed throughout her career. Ms. Capdeville taught us that silence is dangerous, that responsibility is shared, and that protecting our children is a collective obligation. Her influence continues to guide Family Resource Center every day. Her spirit is present in every crisis call answered, every survivor supported, and every family given a chance to rebuild. She gave us more than programs. She gave us courage, effective therapeutic tools and she gave us hope. In closing, for these reasons, the Family Resource Center, Inc. respectfully urges the Legislature to pass Bill No. 36-0114. This recognition is not only deserved, it is essential. It ensures that future generations will know Ms. Capdeville’s name, understand her impact, and continue the work she began. Thank you for your consideration and for honoring a woman whose contributions have profoundly shaped the Virgin Islands.