Current Director of the Court of Guardianship Richelda Rodriguez-Emmanuel on Thursday signed the DP SXM Party Pledge at the DP Headquarters on the Pondfill. Rodriguez-Emmanuel, who holds a Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences and a Master level, certified in Program management and Public management is also trained in Person and Family law. The mother of three daughters has also followed and given numerous courses in program and project development, public governance, strategic planning, teambuilding, conflict resolution, communication and leadership and is St. Maarten’s first Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM). The Social Development Expert is also the initiator, founding member and President of the Board of Directors of the St. Maarten Development Fund Foundation (NGO Financing Agency) and founding member and President of the Board of Directors of the St. Maarten Social Workers Association.
“I have always been directly involved in the touching of the lives of many citizens of St. Maarten through past projects and current activities such as such as establishing the Safe Haven (home for battered women), Establishing Women’s Desk, construction of community centers in Philipsburg, Belvedere, St. Peters, Simpson Bay, building of roads, home repair program for the elderly, construction and repair of sport facilities, after school programs, poverty alleviation projects, neighborhood development activities and child protection and youth rehabilitation work. I am therefore committed to represent St. Maarten with dignity in political office and to aid in the development of a caring St. Maarten society. I am dedicated to the wellbeing of future generations and the enhancement of the values of our cultural diversity with respect for all who have St. Maarten at heart by aactively contributing to the formulation of integrated policies for family and youth affairs. I pledge to do all of this while upholding integrity, loyalty and by remaining true to my Christian values,” stated Rodriguez-Emmanuel.