As Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica as a powerful Category 5 storm, South Florida organizations are mobilizing immediate relief efforts to support recovery on the island. The rapidly strengthening storm is forecasted to bring life-threatening flash floods, landslides, and widespread infrastructure damage, potentially displacing thousands and cutting off vital access to affected communities.
South Florida Caribbean Strong, in partnership with the Global Empowerment Mission (GEM) and The Miami Foundation, is calling on the community to donate, volunteer, and help supply critical relief items.
South Florida, a region familiar with hurricanes, recognizes the importance of unity and preparedness. From Andrew to Irma and beyond, its residents have established a legacy of resilience and compassion—one that surpasses borders when Caribbean neighbors are in need. Once again, the community is stepping up, ready to share expertise, resources, and generosity to help Jamaica recover and rebuild stronger.
“We are no strangers to disaster response and recovery in South Florida and the Caribbean,” said Marlon Hill, Lead Volunteer Mobilizer of South Florida Caribbean Strong, in a press statement. “It’s crucial that we mobilize efficiently—delivering the greatest aid to the most people, at the lowest possible cost. Jamaica and neighboring countries will need us in an extraordinary way, and there’s a role for each of us to play.”
How to Help Families Impacted by Hurricane Melissa:
1. DONATE
Support the U.S. Caribbean Strong Relief Fund through The Miami Foundation or Global Empowerment Mission (GEM) at www.globalempowermentmission.org.
The public is also encouraged to support additional partners involved in global relief efforts, including Food For The Poor, American Friends of Jamaica (AFJ), and World Central Kitchen (WCK).
Cash donations are preferred to help cover transportation costs and purchase essential supplies such as generators, medical kits, and hygiene products.
Donation Links:
• The Miami Foundation – U.S. Caribbean Strong Relief Fund
• Global Empowerment Mission (Primary Mobilization Partner): www.globalempowermentmission.org
• Food For The Poor – www.foodforthepoor.org
• American Friends of Jamaica (AFJ) – https://theafj.org/disaster-relief/
• World Central Kitchen (WCK) – www.wck.org
2. VOLUNTEER
Join efforts to assemble emergency kits at GEM’s South Florida warehouse:
1850 NW 84th Avenue, #100, Doral, FL 33126
Hours:
• Monday–Friday: 10 AM–1 PM & 2 PM–5 PM
• Saturday: 10 AM–2 PM
Sign up to volunteer: GEM Volunteer Events
3. PURCHASE RELIEF ITEMS
Directly purchase and ship the requested relief supplies to the GEM warehouse.
Visit: https://linktr.ee/sflcaribbeanstrong
Requested Items:
• Tarps
• Generators
• Canned Foods
• Hygiene Kits
Please do not send used clothing or linens.
Confirmed Donation Drop-Off Locations
City of Miramar
- Fire Station 19 – 6700 Miramar Parkway
- Fire Station 70 – 9001 Miramar Parkway
- Fire Station 84 – 14801 SW 27th Street
- Fire Station 100 – 2800 SW 184th Avenue
- Fire Station 107 – 11811 Miramar Parkway
- Miramar Police Headquarters – 11765 City Hall Promenade
City of Lauderhill
- Lauderhill City Hall – 5581 W. Oakland Park Blvd.
- Veterans Park – 7600 NW 50th Street
- John Mullins Park – 2000 NW 55th Avenue
- Westwind Park – 4550 NW 82nd Avenue
- Lauderhill Historical Museum – 1080 NW 47th Avenue
- Joy’s Roti Delight – 1205 NW 40th Avenue
Hours: Monday–Friday, 9 AM–9 PM
City of Miami Gardens
- Betty T. Ferguson Recreational Complex – 3000 NW 199th Street
- Miami Gardens Police Department – 18611 NW 27th Avenue
Jamaican Women of Florida
- Walker’s Chiropractic and Wellness Center – 8844 Miramar Parkway
- Juici Patties (Florida Locations): Miramar, Hollywood, Lauderhill, Lauderdale Lakes, Sunrise, Davie, West Palm Beach, Greenacres, Coral Springs
www.juicipattiesusa.com - Thomas Ed Learning Center – 2655 S. State Rd 7, Suite E820, Wellington
Jerk Machine Restaurant
317 SW 6th St, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315
Drop-Off Hours: Monday – Saturday, 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Contacts:
- Catherine Malcolm — (954) 980-0011
- Winsome Robertson Green, Aiding-Aids, Inc. — (954) 249-5075
Homestead Collection Sites
Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (One site open Saturdays)
- City Hall — 100 Civic Court
- Homestead Police Department — 45 NW First Avenue
- Pichol Williams Community Center — 951 SW 4th Street (also open Saturdays)
Food For The Poor – Community Partners
Orlando:
- Silver Star Christian Church – 7510 Silver Star Rd.
- Daily Distribution Center – 2532 Silver Star Rd.
- North Orlando S.D.A. Church – 4125 N. Hiawassee Rd.
- Caribbean Sunshine Bakery – 2528 W. Colonial Dr.
Kissimmee:
- Clarita’s House Outreach Ministries – 1712 Kelley Ave.
Leesburg:
- Best Care Family and Wellness – 10401 US-441 #404
(352) 764-4700
Other Partners:
- Loving Arms Ministries — (954) 274-7864
- Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce – Volusia County — (407) 431-7418
West Palm Beach
The Mosaic Group/Mosaic CoWork
Address: 5840 Corporate Way, Ste 250, West Palm Beach, FL 33407
Name of contact: Ann Marie Sorrell/Raven Holmes
Cell/Email: 561-651-9565 (office)/561-531-4046 (cell); raven@mosaicgroup.co, annmarie@mosaicgroup.co
Hours of operation: 9 am-6 pm
Fort Lauderdale:
The Mosaic Group/Mosaic CoWork
Name of contact: Ann Marie Sorrell/Dr. Alvin McClinton
Address: 1409 NW 6th St, 4th Floor, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311 (inside the YMCA on Sistrunk)
Follow real-time updates: @SFLCaribbeanStrong
About Global Empowerment Mission (GEM)
Founded in response to the 2010 Haiti Earthquake, Global Empowerment Mission provides rapid aid with efficiency and transparency. With more than 355 missions across 57 countries and all 50 U.S. states, GEM is a 4-star Charity Navigator organization that directs 97% of donations to mission-related work.
About the US Caribbean Strong Relief Fund
Caribbean Strong Relief Fund
This volunteer network of SFL Caribbean community leaders is a community-driven initiative established with the support of the Miami Foundation. This fund brings together community leaders, promoters, local small businesses, and non-profit organizations. The group is united to raise awareness and provide critical financial support, immediate supplies, and necessities throughout the Caribbean, especially during hurricane season and natural disasters. The mission is to mobilize resources quickly and efficiently to help those affected by natural disasters rebuild and recover. The U.S. Caribbean Strong Relief Fund is managed under the care and auspices of The Miami Foundation.
This is a Hy-Lo News Staff Report.
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