Interview with Bonnie and Marco Anasetti: Why We Support Nana Baby Home

Q: What led you to support Nana Baby Home?
Marco: Some causes just stay with you, and for me, Nana Baby Home is one of those. There’s a personal connection. My great-grandfather was adopted, and that story has always been a part of our family’s identity. It shaped how I think about safety, home, and the people who step up when no one else will. That’s why Bonnie and I feel such a deep commitment to Nana Baby Home and the work they’re doing in the Virgin Islands.

Bonnie: From the moment we learned about what Nana Baby does, we knew it wasn’t just another organization doing good work – it was something far more intimate and impactful. They’re there when children are in crisis, at the most vulnerable moments of their lives. That kind of care leaves a mark, and we knew we had to be part of it.

Q: What is Nana Baby Home, in your own words?
Marco: It’s not just a facility – it’s a refuge. A real home for children from birth up to age 12 who are facing serious emergencies. Whether it’s a newborn coming from a domestic violence situation or a 9-year-old who suddenly needs emergency foster placement, Nana Baby Home opens its doors without hesitation. And they do it 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Bonnie: And what’s amazing is the level of commitment that takes. This isn’t about good intentions alone. It takes structure, stamina, and an incredibly dedicated team. They provide not just shelter, but warm meals, clean clothes, medical care, school support, and – most importantly – stability. These children feel seen and safe.

Q: What makes the approach at Nana Baby different?
Marco: It’s how personal everything feels. The house is small on purpose. They usually care for around a dozen children at a time so that each one gets real, focused attention. And despite how heavy some of these kids’ stories are, the house is filled with life – there’s laughter, bedtime routines, birthdays, gardening, playing. They create normalcy in the middle of chaos.

Bonnie: It really is a home in every sense of the word. And it’s not just about crisis care. They also provide respite stays for kids when a parent is hospitalized or going through a tough stretch. They support families through custody battles, divorce, or short-term hardship. They’re the place social workers call when no one else has the capacity – and Nana Baby says yes.

Q: Have you seen the long-term impact of their work?
Marco: Absolutely. One of the most telling things is how many former residents stay in touch years later. That doesn’t happen if you’re just a temporary shelter. It happens when you’ve made a real emotional connection – when you’ve been a steady, loving presence in a child’s life during a time when they desperately needed one.

Bonnie: They’re changing the entire trajectory of these kids’ lives. And that kind of impact ripples outward – into families, schools, communities. They’re building something lasting.

Q: Nana Baby Home has been around for a while. Can you tell us more about its history and growth?
Marco: It was founded in 1989 by Louise Larcheveaux-Ali – everyone knew her as “Nana.” She created this place out of sheer love and determination. After she passed, her sister Beulah Wilson and a committed board kept the mission alive, and they’ve carried it forward through every challenge – hurricanes, economic strain, rising needs.

Bonnie: And now they’re expanding again. Their current home is full, and the demand on St. Thomas is growing – especially for older kids. They’re working on opening a larger facility and converting the original house into a center specifically for teens in crisis. There’s no other place on the island doing this kind of work. They’re filling a gap that desperately needs attention.

Q: What does financial support for Nana Baby Home actually provide?
Marco: Every dollar goes directly to the basics: food, clothes, school supplies, staff salaries, medical care, and maintaining the home. It’s not abstract. It’s very real. Supporting one child for a year costs about $10,000. That covers everything – their bed, their meals, their tutoring, even the person who tucks them in at night. It’s incredibly tangible giving.

Bonnie: And it’s efficient. No bureaucracy. No layers of overhead. Just direct, meaningful care. You’re not just donating. You’re actively supporting a child’s day-to-day life and future.

Q: Why is supporting Nana Baby Home so personal to you both?
Marco: Because we’ve seen what it means when someone shows up for a child in crisis. We’ve seen how Nana Baby Home becomes a place where pain starts to heal. It’s not a theoretical impact – it’s real and immediate.

Bonnie: We give because we believe that every child deserves that chance. A safe place to land. People who won’t give up on them. We give because this work matters – and because Nana Baby Home does it right.

Q: What would you say to someone considering donating or getting involved?
Marco: I’d say this: If you’ve ever asked yourself how to make a difference that actually matters, this is it. This is where it starts. With one child. One safe place. One loving home. Nana Baby Home makes that possible, and supporting them is one of the most meaningful choices you can make.

Bonnie: We’re incredibly proud to stand with them. And we hope others will too. The need is real, and so is the impact.

– Marco and Bonnie Anasetti