ABOUT VIVIAN AND ADRIENNE FERRIN
After living their formative years in Jamaica, both Vivian and Adrienne individually migrated to New York where they met, married in 1950 and started their 53 year journey together.
While pursuing their education, Vivian was called to serve in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. Upon his discharge, they moved to Washington D.C. Vivian completed his Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science at Howard University and his Graduate Studies at George Washington University. Adrienne completed her education and began her career as Assistant to the Dean of the Howard University Medical School. Vivian began his long career with the U.S. Department of State, as head of the U. S. Passport Agency in Washington D.C. They retired in 1986 and relocated to The Village of Royal Palm Beach, Florida. The Agency enticed Vivian to stay another three years as a consultant thus commuting between Royal Palm Beach and Washington D.C. Finally, in 1989, he became a full-time Floridian.
Their activism on various Village Boards, Hospital Boards, Advisory Councils and Non-Profit Organizations, led Vivian to an appointment to the Royal Palm Beach Village Council in 1998 and re-election in 1999, with Adrienne always as his right hand. .The Caribbean community is very proud of this trailblazer, for he is one of the first Jamaicans to hold political office in South Florida. In May, 2006 the Village of Royal Palm Beach dedicated a park “The Vivian A. Ferrin Memorial Park.” in his honor.
Vivian and Adrienne were founding members of the Caribbean-Americans for Community Involvement (CAFCI) where they served in many Board of Directors and Committee capacities. Among the numerous contributions, they brought to the organization, it was under Vivian’s leadership and Adrienne’s service on the committee, that the CAFCI Student Assistance Program was born and continues today.
Vivian and Adrienne truly cared about their community and served with honor and integrity. “The best way to honor them is by emulating some of their virtues in our own lives, virtues such as humility, frankness, generosity, honesty, loyalty, peacefulness, gentleness and a sincere caring for family, friends and the community.
Upon the passing of Vivian Ferrin in 2004, the Vivian A. Ferrin Memorial Scholarship Fund was created. After the passing of Adrienne Ferrin in 2016 the name of the Fund was changed to the Vivian and Adrienne Ferrin Memorial Fund. The Fund was created to reach out, encourage and assist our youth in reaching their goals.