20 communities connect with a gift of Starlink devices as part of the hurricane relief effort in St. James. On November 11, 2025, a coalition of community partners collaborated to strengthen connectivity and support local recovery initiatives after the passage of Hurricane Melissa. These partners include: Reach Out WorldWide (ROWW), founded by Paul Walker (played Brian in the Fast and Furious Movies); Monaimi Entertainment; GrassROOTS Community Foundation; The Bridge; Approved; Open Wave; and Industry BlackOut. The initiative is supported by the presence of Tyrese Gibson of The Fast and the Furious franchise; Mona Scott-Young, media maven and manager of Missy Elliott; and Dr. Janice Johnson Dias, Jamaican native and professor of sociology and criminal justice—all lending their hands to serve the communities and people most affected by the storm.

The team focused on the Parish of St. James, which was hard hit, and partnered with respected community organisers from each region to ensure connection, communication, and equitable distribution of aid. Each of the 20 community leaders was given four Starlinks, each with the capacity to reach 80 residents, totalling over 1,600 residents.

Having access to Starlink connectivity in these communities is transformative — especially as many areas remain without electricity or reliable communication networks. With stable internet access, community leaders can coordinate relief efforts, report urgent needs in real time, track missing or vulnerable residents, and communicate with emergency responders without interruption. It also allows families to reconnect with loved ones, access vital information, and receive updates about weather, aid distribution, and safety alerts. In moments of crisis, connectivity isn’t just a convenience — it becomes a lifeline that restores hope, supports recovery, and strengthens community resilience.

Through this collective effort, residents received food packages, menstrual health supplies, and educational materials for young people, including books and coloring books. Water was distributed and three 3,000-gallon tanks installed to support immediate and future needs.

“The presence of Tyrese Gibson increased morale and encouraged the community, uplifting residents and shining a light on the importance of continued relief and recovery efforts,” said Mona Scott-Young.

“This is what community collaboration looks like—coming together to respond to urgent needs and prepare for the long road to recovery,” added Scott-Young.

“All of us have a role to play in helping our communities rebuild and thrive,” said Senator Allan Bernard, one of the major collaborators in this effort. “This moment calls for relief with an eye on recovery and rebuilding,” said Dr. Janice Johnson Dias,

President of the GrassROOTS Community Foundation. “The people of St. James, like so many others across Jamaica, need resources to rebuild homes, refill water tanks, stay connected, and maintain dignity through access to food and hygiene supplies.”The GrassROOTS Community Foundation will continue to work with partners throughout Northwest St. James as the country moves from immediate relief to rebuilding and reorganisation, ensuring that recovery efforts are sustained and communities remain supported during this critical period.