Spanish Town, Jamaica – November 12, 2025 – In the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, the Central Jamaica Conference (CJC), through its Rebuilding Hope Initiative, continues to provide relief, restoration, and hope to hundreds of families across the island. Two of its leading outreach arms — Adventist Community Services (ACS) and Operation Save-A-Youth (OSAY) — have coordinated extensive relief efforts, reflecting the Church’s enduring commitment to service and community support.
Adventist Community Services (ACS) Outreach
On November 1, 2025, a team of 22 ACS volunteers visited Warsap, Trelawny, delivering essential relief supplies to residents. The team served 160 hot meals, distributed nine cases of water, 80 food packages, and eight care packages for the elderly. Children also received books to help them remain engaged during the recovery process.
The outreach continued on November 8, 2025, in Comfort Hall and Maggoty, St. Elizabeth, with 65 volunteers distributing food, water, hygiene items, and clothing. Teams conducted house-to-house visits, emphasising compassion and hope. In total, 18 categories of relief items—including food, hygiene products, tarpaulins, flashlights, clothing, and literature—were shared with hundreds of residents.
OSAY – Hurricane Melissa Relief Operations
On Sunday, November 9, 2025, OSAY launched a large-scale relief mission across Trelawny, Manchester, and Westmoreland. A total of 284 volunteers delivered 1,340 food packages and additional supplies to families in need.
* Trelawny: 92 volunteers served Falmouth Town, Coopers Pen, Salt Marsh, Granville, Martha Brae, Johns Hill, and Bounty Hall, distributing 430 food packages and clothing while assisting with minor home repairs.
* Manchester: 62 volunteers supported Hibernia, Robins Hall, Christiana, Coley Mountain, Mayfield, and Harry Watch, delivering 310 food packages and installing tarpaulins for temporary roofing.
* Westmoreland: 130 volunteers visited Friendship, Content, and Braham, distributing 600 food packages, clothing, and providing road clearance and medical support to ten residents.
Restoring Faith and Community
Both ACS and OSAY demonstrate the spirit of service that defines the Central Jamaica Conference. By combining compassion with tangible action, these initiatives continue to restore faith, rebuild lives, and offer hope to those most affected by Hurricane Melissa.
As Everett Smith, CJC Community Services Director, stated,
“Rebuilding Hope is not just about recovery — it’s about renewal. Every meal served, every home repaired, and every act of kindness brings us closer to restoring dignity and faith in our communities.”
Through ongoing collaboration, the CJC remains steadfast in its mission to proclaim hope through service, ensuring that no community is left behind on the road to recovery.
Upcoming Activities:
* CJC Builders League: Home construction and repairs in Manchester, Sunday, November 16, 2025.
* OSAY – Phase 2: Expansion of relief efforts in Westmoreland, Sunday, November 23, 2025.
* ACS - Phase 2: Expansion of relief efforts in Westmoreland, Sunday, November 23, 2025
Donations in cash or kind are welcome to support ongoing home repairs, food relief, and community development projects. You may make your financial contribution online: https://bit.ly/cjcmelissarelieffund; or to the CJC’s BNS account (See flyer for banking details).
Persons wishing to contribute in other forms may contact the CJC Community Services Department at (876) 527-4607 or email communications@centralja.org for partnership and donation details.
“When we come together as a church community in love and service, we not only rebuild homes, we rebuild hearts, strengthen faith, and restore hope," said Pastor Barrett. “In doing so, we play our part in rebuilding lives and bringing lasting restoration to our communities.”
Contact:
Communication Department
Central Jamaica Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
Website: www.centralja.org
Phone: (876) 283-7566
Email: communications@centralja.org