Mission Statement
Our Mission is to promote well-being through health information exchanges and creative and literary arts.

ABOUT: AMY’S WELLNESS PLACE

A. L. Wellness Garden (ALWG) is a Virgin Islands nonprofit, 503(c) 3 corporation, governed by a volunteer board of directors and affiliates. Its primary purpose is to support well-being in the face of life’s losses. The manner of loss differs; health, financial, or departed loved ones. Loss is the void we lack the ability to fill.

Former educator Amy L. Garrett recognized this and sought ways she could support others struggling to regain a sense of well-being. Amy was enjoined in spirit by other like-minded persons. The way back from the losses we bear has been a journey for us all, particularly the losses visited upon our communities by the 2020 pandemic. Now more than ever, we must commit ourselves to one another’s well-being.

“In loving memory of Amy L. Garrett, 1960- 2017, and Lueben L. Davis Sr, 1959-2022.”

 

Who We Are

 

Marilyn Brissett

Marilyn Brissett is currently an academic librarian at the University of the Virgin Islands. She is the liaison librarian to the School of Nursing and the University liaison to the National Library of Medicine. Her specialties include information literacy instruction and assessment, reference services, school libraries, research, and consumer health. She received a Consumer Health Information Specialization Level II in 2020. She is interested in health disparities, health literacy, rich digital collections, and data literacy. Mrs. Brissett is a published researcher and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology, a Master’s degree in Education, and a Master’s degree in Information and Library Science. Together they have tried to make a difference in the Virgin Islands community. Christine has presented papers on technology in education, bibliotherapy, and coping with natural disasters.

 

Christine A. Garrett Davis

Christine A. Garrett Davis, a 33-year resident of St. Thomas with roots in the St. John community, spent most of her career as an educator. Christine is a certified librarian with the Virgin Islands Department of Education. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary Education from Seton Hall University and a Master of Library and Information Science from the University of Southern Mississippi. Before retirement from public education, she taught all three levels of education in the K12 system and held leadership roles on school committees, the VI Business and Professional Women’s Club, and St. Thomas/St. John Library Association. Christine was married to Lueben Davis, Sr also an educator.
School Library Research and Education Resource in 2017
www.linkedin.com/in/christine-garrett-davis

 

Ardrina Scott Elliott

Ardrina Scott Elliott is a dedicated executive who has an impressive 30+ years of leadership background in higher and K12 education, an exceptional understanding of cross-functionality, fiscal responsibility, and institutional integrity. Her areas of expertise include Program and Project Management, Staff Leadership & Team Development, Event Management, Strategic Planning, and Budgeting, Identification & Administration Grant Funding, Budget Development and Monitoring, Building Organizational Structures, Federal Title III & Title IV programs, Student Support Services, Public Speaking, Development Services, Gift Administration, and teaching. She has served on the board of serval non-profit organizations and is a proud member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. A resident of St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, Ardrina and her spouse, Alrick, have three children and five grandchildren.

 

Shawn T. Brookes

Shawn T. Brookes was born in St. Thomas, spent part of his childhood in St. Kitts, and has been living in St. John for more than twenty years. Shawn is very proficient in education management systems; he is an Information Technology Specialist II at the University of the Virgin Islands, St. Thomas, and managed UVI’s St. John Academic Center, where St. John’s UVI students attended classes supported by videoconferencing technology. His skills include troubleshooting connectivity and software issues, network infrastructure, and end-user networking for enterprise-class data centers; systems run on Polycom/Avaya and Dell-based products. Shawn is interested in developing programs that promote health awareness and wants to make a difference in the St. John community.

 

Bodicea Powell Gordon

Bodicea Powell Gordon was born, raised, and resides in St. John, Virgin Islands. Bodicea holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Secretarial Studies from Central Connecticut State University in New Britain, Connecticut, and a Master of Arts in Business from the University of the Virgin Islands. She is a retired Career and Technical Education instructor with the Virgin Islands Department of Education who provides business services to local entrepreneurs. While serving her 30 years of educating the Virgin Islands’ youth, she served as an FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) advisor for 28 of those 30 years. She has been involved in community-based organizations such as the Head Start Policy Council and Girl Scouts of the Virgin Islands since her return home from college in 1985. Bodicea is an avid churchgoer of the Bethany Moravian Church. She is the church treasurer and a choir member. Bodicea also serves on various boards, particularly the Board of Elders and the Board of Stewards.

 

Carla D. Blyden Burgess

Carla D. Blyden Burgess, daughter of St John native Carl Blyden, was born in New Jersey. Carla trains and coaches managers at AT&T using Management Systems and Operational Control processes. She is adept at evaluating her organization’s human, information, and financial resources. This is useful when developing strategic plans and production logistics. Carla also implements cross-team collaboration to achieve production goals. Carla is an advocate for well-being through personal development.

 

Wellness Services

Health and Fitness

Comfort Food

Creative Arts