UTM community donates to support those affected by Hurricane Melissa
In the wake of the strongest recorded hurricane in Jamaica’s history, Caribbean Connections and the Students’ Union held a week-long relief drive.
On the week of November 3, the University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM) Students’ Union (UTMSU) and Caribbean Connections UTM brought the UTM community together to support relief efforts following the recent devastation of Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica
According to The Guardian, Hurricane Melissa was the most severe storm Jamaica has experienced on record, with some experts stating that it was “on the edge of what is physically possible in the Atlantic Ocean.” Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness reported that the hurricane caused damages equivalent to around 30% of last year’s total gross domestic product, or between US$6 billion and US$7 billion, according to Reuters. At least 75 are reported dead at the time of writing.
As leaders and community groups around the world unite in vital humanitarian efforts, the UTM community, too, contributed toiletries, food, and other essentials as well as monetary donations raised at a multi-day patties and coco bread charity sale in the Student Centre.
Caribbean Connections Vice President External Chanelle Blair has personal connections to the cause. In an interview with The Medium, Blair described how playing a role in organizing these initiatives was deeply meaningful, as it allowed her to “give back to [her] community despite not being physically present.”
Vice President Community Outreach and Engagement Giovanni Ustany shared similar insights, adding the powerful reminder that despite the distance, the effects are felt right here at UTM. “[We are] doing our best to give back to the community.”
The team acted quickly, organizing the catering logistics and working with the Jamaica Canadian Association (JCA). Working with this organization guaranteed that all of the donations, whether physical or monetary, would reach the affected communities.
Participants were enthusiastic to donate and support the cause, as reported by the teams. This positive impact does not need to end here, however. Following the initiative, Blair described the numerous ways UTM community members can still make an impact: they can donate monetarily through the official Jamaican government channel and community relief drives, volunteer in the execution of these initiatives, and spread awareness on social media
The organizers also stressed that those who weren’t able to participate in the drive can still support relief efforts. Ustany described that organizations like the JCA have the logistical means and connections to quickly provide direct support, adding that “it’s all about working together in this time.”
The Medium also interviewed UTMSU Vice President Equity Miatah McCallum. After describing the importance of supporting Jamaican families amid the disastrous aftermath, she explained, “I think it’s really important that students come together in these times… when we are doing the dropbox and the fundraiser, we want to see all demographics of students come out for that because we are only stronger as a collective…. We can’t be free until all of us are free.”
For students who are looking to get involved in organizing such initiatives, McCallum highlighted how the Students’ Union values and encourages any ideas. The initiative for Jamaica and other initiatives reflect how the UTMSU wants “to make sure that students feel that [we] see them and recognize these struggles and that we are supporting them as much as we can.”
The hurricane has been disastrous and communities are suffering in Jamaica and beyond. Together, however, supporting relief efforts—whether through spreading awareness, donating, or planning such initiatives—is not only a responsibility, but can also be an empowering and deeply impactful experience. As concluded by The Caribbean Connections team, “we empathize with the Jamaican community and we know that they will come back and come back stronger.”
