PHILIPSBURG:--- The Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment, and Infrastructure (VROMI), Mr. Patrice Gumbs, convened a special meeting of his Cabinet and the Secretary General with the Sint Maarten Housing Foundation to discuss the organization's strategic direction and to bid farewell to Ms. Kimberly Meyers. The mandate of Ms. Meyers, who had taken on the role of Chair of the Supervisory Board just over a year ago, came to an end today, February 4th. The meeting marked the finalization of a strategic agenda, centered on strengthening collaboration between the government and the Foundation to better address the housing and social development needs of Sint Maarten's residents.
"With this new calendar year, we are truly focused on approaching the social aspect and development in a more strategic way," Kimberly Meyers stated. "Our discussions have centered on how we can better align government and Foundation views and really accommodate what the need is for the island. This collaborative approach will ensure that we're not just building homes, but building stronger communities." Kimberly continued.
The Foundation reiterated its commitment to approaching the social aspects of housing and development in a more comprehensive and coordinated manner, ensuring that efforts align seamlessly with government priorities and address the evolving needs of the island. This renewed strategic focus emphasizes partnership and community impact as central pillars of the Foundation's mission moving forward.
The Ministry of VROMI extends its sincere gratitude to Ms. Meyers for her dedicated service and the significant contributions she has made in support of the foundation and the government’s housing goals and community development on Sint Maarten.
"We are deeply grateful for Kimberly's service to the Foundation," said Minister Patrice Gumbs of VROMI. "In her very short period, Ms. Meyers worked to professionalize and strengthen the board and its functionality, during a time of great challenge within the foundation. Her insights and her team’s strategic approach very much facilitated the strong working relationship that we experienced with both the supervisory board and the management. I wish her well and continued success in all her future endeavors."

PHILIPSBURG:--- A holistic, wraparound program supporting youth and families through education, mentorship, life skills, and community engagement
Philipsburg, St. Maarten – February 2026 — RISE Foundation officially introduces the Elevate Youth & Family Program, a one-year holistic development initiative designed to provide wraparound support for young people and their families as they navigate the transition into adulthood.
Launched in September 2025 and currently in active implementation, the Elevate Youth & Family Program brings together structured support systems that extend beyond education alone. The program engages youth who benefit from consistent guidance, structure, and encouragement while developing practical skills, confidence, and personal responsibility. Participants are connected to the program through schools, community partners, and justice-related organizations and services, and are supported through an approach that emphasizes potential, resilience, and long-term growth.
The Elevate Youth & Family Program is a one-year holistic initiative made up of several interconnected components. Participants receive partial scholarships to attend educational programs such as the National Institute for Professional Advancement (NIPA) or work toward obtaining their General Educational Development (GED), take part in life skills and work-readiness workshops, engage in volunteering opportunities within their communities, and are matched with a mentor for guidance and encouragement. The program also includes a family component, where families receive support through engagement sessions, assistance from a social worker, and guidance from a trained mediator, with the goal of strengthening the family unit alongside the development of the youth.
“Being part of the Elevate Program means a lot to me because it can help me grow,” shared Jeananena Joseph (17). “I’m studying cooking because I want to become a professional chef, but I also want to have my own business one day, which is why learning about things like entrepreneurship, budgeting, and financial literacy is important to me. I’ve also enjoyed the workshops and volunteering because they help us build confidence and give back. When I think about my future, the change I want to create is to be braver and more confident in myself.”
Throughout the program year, participants take part in approximately 20 workshops focused on communication, responsibility, financial literacy, employability skills, personal development, and overall well-being, with entrepreneurship sessions and additional topics scheduled for later in the program. These workshops are designed to provide practical tools youth can apply in everyday life, while encouraging reflection, accountability, and growth.
“Early engagement has shown that young people benefit from both support and clear expectations,” said Josiah Lamothe, Program Manager. “By setting expectations early and reinforcing them throughout the program, Elevate helps participants stay focused, accountable, and connected to the goals they set when they joined.”
In addition to workshops, participants are involved in structured, scheduled volunteering activities within their communities. Alongside these activities, participants are also encouraged to develop and carry out their own community projects, allowing them to apply what they are learning while building initiative, responsibility, teamwork, and a sense of contribution.
Community collaboration plays a central role in the Elevate Youth & Family Program. Local professionals and community members contribute their time and expertise by facilitating workshops, supporting family sessions, and assisting with volunteering initiatives. The program also relies on community involvement to build a strong network of volunteer mentors who provide guidance, encouragement, and positive role modeling for participants.
“Elevate exists because young people don’t grow in isolation,” shared Chiaira Bowers, Program Manager. “As young people transition into adulthood, they need education, practical tools, encouragement, and a strong support network around them. Elevate combines opportunity with responsibility, helping participants apply what they learn and stay focused on their goals. We see Elevate as a springboard where young people can learn, explore, build confidence, and begin creating opportunities for themselves as they continue to grow.”
As the program moves into its second half, RISE Foundation will continue delivering workshops and volunteering activities alongside educational classes, strengthen the family support component, and launch the recruitment, training, and matching of volunteer mentors to further support participants throughout the remainder of the program year.
Businesses, organizations, and community members, interested in supporting or collaborating with the Elevate Youth & Family Program, including serving as volunteer mentors, are encouraged to contact RISE Foundation at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., by phone at +1 (721) 584-7473 or +1 (721) 523-8421, or by following the foundation on Facebook (risesxm) and Instagram (rise.sxm).

PHILIPSBURG:--- The dramatic parliamentary vote on a motion of disapproval against Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina not only sent a warning shot to the current administration but also exposed a significant fracture within the Party for Progress (PFP) faction. In a move that signals a deep internal divide, PFP faction leader MP Raeyhon Peterson voted in favor of the motion, while his colleague, MP Ludmilla de Weever, voted against it, siding with the coalition to save the Prime Minister from censure.
The session, called to address the government's handling of the crisis facing fire and ambulance personnel, became a defining moment for the PFP. MP Peterson took a hardline stance, aligning with the opposition to formally disapprove of the Prime Minister’s leadership on the issue. His vote was a clear declaration of his dissatisfaction with the administration's performance and its failure to resolve the long-standing grievances of the nation's emergency responders. This move positioned him as a staunch critic of the government's current path, reflecting a belief that strong political action was immediately necessary.
In stark contrast, MP Ludmilla de Weever broke ranks with her faction leader. Despite publicly stating during the debate that she holds a "soft spot in her heart" for the firefighters, her vote ultimately helped defeat the motion. Her decision suggests a different political calculation, prioritizing government stability or perhaps disagreeing with the confrontational tactic of a disapproval motion at this time. While her words expressed empathy for the workers' struggles, her actions provided a crucial vote that protected the Prime Minister, highlighting a fundamental disagreement with her faction leader on how to hold the government accountable.
This public split reveals more than just a difference of opinion; it points to a potential ideological rift within the PFP. One member, the faction leader, saw the moment as a critical juncture requiring a formal rebuke of the government. The other saw it as a time for a different approach, even if it meant appearing to contradict her stated sympathies for the emergency personnel. This divergence in strategy raises questions about the party's unified vision and its role as a political force.
For the PFP, the implications are significant. The split vote weakens its image as a cohesive unit and could complicate its political maneuvering moving forward. As the crisis with emergency services continues to unfold, the party will need to reconcile these differing approaches to effectively advocate for solutions. The division between Peterson’s hardline opposition and de Weever’s more measured, coalition-aligned vote leaves voters and political observers questioning the PFP's internal strength and its ultimate direction in the turbulent political landscape.

PHILIPSBURG – A contentious parliamentary session on Wednesday exposed deep fractures within the government, culminating in a failed motion of disapproval against Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina. While the Prime Minister narrowly survived the vote, the heated debate laid bare the administration's chaotic handling of a mounting crisis involving the nation's fire and ambulance personnel, leaving a trail of unanswered questions and bitter accusations.
The meeting, ostensibly called to address the escalating situation with emergency services, quickly devolved into a political battlefield. Opposition members, fed up with what they see as inaction and disrespect, launched a full-scale assault on the Prime Minister's leadership.
The tension was palpable as Member of Parliament Lyndon Lewis took the floor and directly challenged the Prime Minister's integrity. He pointedly referenced a recent press release from the Prime Minister, stating that such behavior from an MP "is a disgrace." The comment highlighted growing animosity between the executive and legislative branches, suggesting a government at war with itself while critical services remain in jeopardy.
The disarray within the Council of Ministers was further exposed by MP Omar Ottley, who questioned the "apparent disconnect" between the Minister of VSA's supposed willingness to negotiate with unions and a hardline letter from the Prime Minister. This contradiction suggests a disjointed administration where one hand does not know what the other is doing. MP Francisco Lacroes echoed this sentiment, asking whether the Minister of VSA was part of the decision-making process, casting further doubt on the government's coherence.
In his defense, Prime Minister Mercelina dismissed the entire affair as a political stunt. He claimed the motion was "not substantiated by facts and gives the impression of being politically motivated," arguing that it was drafted before his answers were even considered. This defense, however, did little to quell the outrage from those who feel the government has abandoned its civil servants.
MP Lacroes back, clarifying that the motion had "nothing to do with the civil servants themselves but the support that the civil servants have received and are getting." The message was clear: this is a crisis of leadership, not a critique of the dedicated first responders.
Though the motion ultimately failed to carry, the victory for the Prime Minister is hollow. The proceedings have placed an intense spotlight on his administration's inability to provide tangible solutions for the very people tasked with ensuring public safety. The session ended not with a resolution, but with a weak proposal for yet another explanation from a "technical team." For the firefighters and ambulance personnel, this offers little more than continued delays and political theater. The pressure is now immense, and the public is left wondering whether this government is capable of leading or will continue to crumble under the weight of its own dysfunction.