By the Foresee Foundation
For James Brooks, volunteering is not about having money, a title or a large platform; it is about offering what he can and recognizing that time, care, and presence can be priceless.
The 26-year-old St. Maartener was born and raised on the island and currently lives in the Netherlands where he studies International Social Work. Having grown up within the foster care system, James chose this field because he wants to become the kind of supportive adult he needed when he was younger. He wants young people – particularly those facing difficult circumstances – to feel heard, seen and understood.
James’ commitment to community service began during his teenage years. While attending high school, he participated in the Readers Are Leaders competition and later served on its board. He also volunteered with the youth wing of the Sint Maarten AIDS Foundation and was an active member of the St. Maarten Academy Interact Club.
His journey with SXM DOET began as a volunteer in 2017 and 2018, then from 2019 until leaving the island to study in 2021, he served as a project coach. He returned as a volunteer in 2025 and once again became a project coach in 2026 while completing an internship as a family guardian at the Court of Guardianship.
For James, St. Maarten remains home, regardless of where he currently lives: “I may not have thousands of dollars to donate to the community, but I do have time – and time is priceless.”
The projects that remain closest to him are those involving children in foster care, young people and the elderly. Whether helping to organize an activity, watching participants laugh together or seeing a blank wall transformed into a colourful mural, James finds meaning in the moments of joy created through collective effort.
He believes St. Maarten must speak more openly about the value of volunteering. Introducing community service within schools could help younger generations develop the habit of giving back from an early age. At the same time, James recognizes the realities many residents face: People working multiple jobs to make ends meet may have little time or energy left to volunteer – this makes every contribution meaningful, whether it is several days, a few hours or simply showing up when help is needed.
James’ message to the community is simple: No one needs a special position to make a difference. Volunteers help non-profit organizations continue providing services that cannot always be covered by only the government. In return, volunteering creates connection, purpose and a deeper sense of belonging.
In a small community, those connections matter. By investing in one another quietly, consistently and sincerely, St. Maarten can continue building the caring community its people deserve.
