As humanitarian efforts continue for Jamaica and the Jamaican people, a 48-member delegation from New York State, led by the Carl Heastie, Speaker of the NY State Assembly, 12 New York State elected officials, senior advisors, community affairs leaders, university partners and volunteers all traveled to Jamaica on Dec. 18-21, 2025, to give solidarity and support to Jamaica’s ongoing rebuilding process.
The visit was initiated in response to concerns raised by constituents some of the elected officials represent whose districts comprise of several vibrant and longstanding Jamaican communities. They encouraged the trip, asking their leaders to witness the recovery firsthand and to consider pathways for continued assistance.
Following through on this request, the Consulate General of Jamaica’s office in New York City collaborated and coordinated the mission.
The Heastie-led delegation included members of the United States Congress, the New York State Senate, the New York State Assembly, and the New York City Council. The group scheduled and participated in various community engagements across Westmoreland.
Some of the damaged facilities and areas the delegation visited were the United Presbyterian Church of Savanna-La-Mar, Paul Island Primary School, the YMCA on Barracks Road in Savanna-La-Mar, Culloden Refuge Temple, and the Community of Bethel Town. The group visited the YMCA twice: once for clean-up efforts and once for a family day program.
During the visit, the delegation distributed more than 800 care packages, delivered toys and laptops to students at Paul Island Primary School, and provided 200 hot meals to the students. In addition, they presented the YMCA with a check totaling US $43,000 to support the re-roofing of the facility, with the delegation making a commitment to replace the computer equipment and furniture damaged by the hurricane.
Members of the New York State Delegation who visited were Carl Heastie, Speaker of the New York State Assembly, US U.S. Rep. Ritchie Torress, New York State Senator, Jamaal Bailey, New York State Assembly Members included in the mission were Noah Burroughs, Alicia Hyndman, Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, Brian Cunningham, Monique Chandler Waterman, Jamie Wiliams, Manny De Los Santos, George Alvarez, Yudelka Tapia, and New York City Council Member, Kevin Riley.
The representative from the Jamaican Consulate office in New York, Christopher Benjamin, thanked the Speaker of the New York State Assembly, Speaker Carl Heastie, and the entire delegation for their contribution and engagement, “…and their willingness to walk alongside Jamaica in what will be a sustained and evolving period of restoration,” Benjamin expressed.
Heastie, said, “The people of Jamaica have shown extraordinary strength in the wake of Hurricane Melissa. Our delegation came to listen, to witness challenges firsthand, and to understand how we may continue to be of service. As someone who represents the largest community of Jamaicans in the Bronx, I hear directly from families who are deeply connected to the island and deeply concerned about the recovery. The ties between New York and Jamaica run deep, in community, in heritage, and in shared values. We are honored to stand with Jamaica at this time.”
