A Piece of the Rock: Building a Future for USVI Youth
Staking a Claim in the Future: Why USVI Youth Deserve a “Piece of the Rock”
We’ve all heard the standard political playbook. Every election cycle, leaders stand behind podiums, look into the cameras, and declare that our young people are “the future” and “our most valuable resource.”
But let’s be entirely honest: if you look at the actions of our government, do those words ring true? Or does it just sound like the same old gift of gab?
Talk is cheap. Rent is not. Land is definitely not. When a young Virgin Islander graduates, looks at the local job market, looks at the cost of living, and realizes they are priced out of the very islands they call home, that isn’t a failure of ambition—it’s a failure of policy. Lip service won’t build a life, and empty rhetoric won’t secure a future.
The Team of Donastorg/Nelson is ready to move past the talk. We are ready to roll out a vision that our young people can actually relate to and, more importantly, anchor themselves to. It starts with real, tangible actions and a groundbreaking concept: The Youth Land Bank.
What is the Youth Land Bank?
We believe in putting our young people first and foremost. That means giving them a literal stake in this territory—a “piece of the rock” to build on, invest in, and pass down.
The Youth Land Bank is a comprehensive, structured pipeline designed to transition our young adults from students to stable, property-owning pillars of our community.
Here is exactly how the program is built to work:
* A Piece of the Rock: Eligible young Virgin Islanders will have the opportunity to secure a parcel of land—aiming for up to an acre of property—specifically designated for community development and residential growth.
* Job & Workforce Positioning: Land is only the foundation. Our targeted support programs will actively place participants in positions to secure stable, upwardly mobile employment, ensuring they have the financial baseline to sustain an investment.
* Financial & Loan Access: We will bridge the gap between local financial institutions and our youth, providing the structural backing, credit-building education, and program-supported loan access needed to finance a first home.
* Wraparound Support: From blueprint to breaking ground, the program will offer technical assistance, help navigate the permitting process, and provide financial counseling so our youth are never left to figure it out alone.
Moving Past the Same Old Rhetoric
For too long, our greatest export has been our talent. We watch our brightest minds leave for the mainland because the barriers to success here at home feel insurmountable.
“True empowerment isn’t a speech; it’s an asset. By ensuring our youth can own land, secure a home, and build a career right here, we aren’t just telling them they matter—we are anchoring them to our future.”
The Donastorg/Nelson vision is about breaking the cycle of the “same ole, same ole.” We are focused on creating tangible equity for the next generation. If we want our young people to invest their talents, their families, and their futures in the United States Virgin Islands, we have to give them something real to invest in.
No more lip service. No more delays. It’s time for real, structural change that puts our youth where they belong: at the absolute forefront of our priorities.
We are ready to roll. Are you ready to build?
#nomorebullshittingdem#usvirginislands#youngpeople #peaceoftherock
