Help Heather Rebuild After Hurricane Melissa

My name is Ashley, and I live in Houston, Texas, having moved here from Hanover Parish on the west coast of Jamaica in 2023.

When Hurricane Melissa struck Jamaica as a Category 5 storm, it tore through Montego Bay with winds exceeding 185 mph, leaving behind devastation few could have imagined. My cousin Heather—a lifelong resident of Montego Bay—was among those hardest hit.

While parts of her home still stand, her roof was shredded, leaving open gaps that now let in rain and debris. In the days since, mold has begun spreading through her bedroom walls and ceiling, making her home increasingly unsafe. She’s doing everything she can to hold on—but without help, her situation is dire. Pictures do not reflect the extent of her reality.

Heather also lost her small business, a tourist gift shop at the Montego Bay cruise terminal, when the ocean rose and flooded the port. In a matter of hours, she lost both her livelihood and her sense of security.

Now, she faces the monumental task of:

Heather lives simply, and like many Jamaicans, she earns far below the U.S. poverty line. There are no safety nets or insurance systems robust enough to catch her after a disaster of this scale.

I’m reaching out far and wide to rally support for Heather—to help her rebuild her home, restore her safety, and begin to recover what Hurricane Melissa took away.

Before moving to Houston, I lived in Negril, Jamaica, and I know firsthand both the beauty and the hardship of life there. Most of my family immigrated to the U.S. decades ago, but Heather stayed. Jamaica is her home, and she has always found a way to make it work—until now.

Every contribution, no matter the size, will go directly toward:

Your support will help Heather rebuild her home—and her life—with dignity and hope.

If you can, please donate or share this campaign to help spread the word. Together, we can make sure Heather is not left behind in the wake of this storm.

*Proceeds will go directly to Heather for the listed items, via her daughter, April's collection. April is based in West Palm Beach, Florida.*