Assembly Member Jaime Williams, chairwoman of New York State Emergency Response and Disaster Preparedness, and Assembly Member Monique Chandler-Waterman, co-chair of the Caribbean American Delegation, led an “urgent packing day” at TriniJam BK Restaurant in Canarsie, Brooklyn, on Sunday, Nov. 16, uniting the community to support Jamaica after Hurricane Melissa’s devastation. Their effort was described as a powerful display of unity, service, and Caribbean pride.
Calvin Sennon, the Trinidadian-born co-owner of TriniJam BK, told Caribbean Life that volunteers streamed into his restaurant, “transforming the space into a bustling hub of compassion.
Jennifer Horsford-Viechweg and Calvin Sennon display relief supplies.Photo by Nelson A. King
“Tables overflowed with essential supplies: sheets, nails, flashlights, batteries, hygiene kits, diapers, canned goods, and more,” he added. “Families, students, seniors, and local organizations worked side-by-side, forming assembly lines to box critical items destined for relief centers in Jamaica.”
Williams, the Trinidadian-born representative for the 59th Assembly District in Brooklyn, long recognized for her leadership in emergency response efforts both locally and abroad, once again stood at the forefront of the mobilization.
Assembly Member Jaime Williams, forefront, with Assembly Member Monique Chandler-Waterman to her immediate right. Photo by Calvin Sennon/TriniJamBK
With years of experience guiding disaster recovery support across the Caribbean, she emphasized the importance of “swift, collaborative action. The need is urgent. Jamaica is facing tremendous hardship,” Williams said. “I am proud of our Caribbean Diaspora and this Brooklyn community for stepping up.
“This is what service looks like,” she added.
Chandler-Waterman, the daughter of Jamaican and Barbadian immigrants, who represents the 58th Assembly District in Brooklyn, said: “This is what we do.
“When our Caribbean family hurts, Brooklyn shows up,” said Chandler-Waterman, who helped coordinate the relief initiative. “Our community knows the meaning of resilience and solidarity.”
Sennon said other local elected officials, nonprofit groups, faith leaders, and small-business owners also joined the initiative, “underscoring the wide-ranging support behind the relief mission.”
He said many noted that the turnout reflected not just concern for the current crisis, but gratitude for the deep cultural and familial ties that bind New York’s Caribbean communities together.
Dalton Robinson, center, leads prayers, flanked by elected officials, including Brooklyn DA Eric Gonzalez, third from left. Photo by Calvin Sennon/TriniJamBK
“We came together from different islands, different backgrounds — but today, we’re one Caribbean family,” said one volunteer as she packed flashlights into a supply crate. “If one of us is in pain, all of us feel it.”
As the first shipments are sent to Jamaica, leaders stated that support for recovery will continue, highlighting the community’s ongoing commitment.
Williams also posted on Facebook that Sunday’s hurricane relief efforts in Canarsie were marked by “an outstanding display of love and support, with attendees traveling from as far away as New Jersey, Harlem, and Long Island.”
She extended “sincerest gratitude to TriniJam BK for hosting and participating in this vital relief mission, as well as to my colleagues, Assembly Member Monique Chandler-Waterman, Sen. Roxanne Persaud, Gardy Brazela, Sandra Frances Nau-Brazela, East Flatbush Village Inc., Clover Dewar, Jean Joseph, Judy Newton, Shamila Pantaleon, Jennifer Viechweg Horsford, Sandy Miller, Canarsie Lions, young scholars, neighbors, for their crucial roles in the event.
“Consulate General Office of Jamaica, District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, 67th and 69th Police Precincts also merit special recognition,” Williams added. “Every effort counts because it’s a long road to recovery.”
She said, though the focus is currently on Jamaica, “let us remember our sister islands that were affected by Hurricane Beryl last year – Carriacou, Petite Martinique, and the (St. Vincent) Grenadines, who are still rebuilding.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has intensified his diplomatic push for a “truly durable” peace, holding hours of talks in Paris before joining a series of high-level calls with European leaders and the United States.
Zelenskyy arrived at the Élysée Palace on 01 December for what he described as “several-hour talks” with French President Emmanuel Macron. “During our several-hour talks, Emmanuel Macron and I assessed a great many details. The main focus was on negotiations to end the war and on security guarantees. Peace must become truly durable.”
He stressed that success depends on every international leader, writing: “Much now depends on the involvement of every leader. We will also be speaking with other leaders today.”
The Paris discussions followed a weekend of intensive negotiations in Miami between Ukraine’s team, led by Rustem Umierov, and US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff. The talks centred on a US-backed peace framework that has raised concerns in parts of Europe over the risk of giving Russia excessive concessions. The Miami negotiations came ahead of Witkoff’s planned meeting with Vladimir Putin on 02 December, which the Kremlin has publicly confirmed.
Shortly after meeting Macron, Zelenskyy joined a joint call with Macron, Witkoff, Umierov and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to review the US-Ukraine discussions. Following the briefing, he said: “It was an important briefing, and we agreed to discuss more details in person – our teams will coordinate schedules for possible further contacts.”
Later, Zelenskyy and Macron convened a wider multilateral call with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Italy’s Giorgia Meloni, Finland’s Alexander Stubb, the Netherlands’ Dick Schoof, Denmark’s Mette Frederiksen, Norway’s Jonas Gahr Støre, European Council President António Costa, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, and the UK Prime Minister’s National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell.
The leaders discussed the Miami outcomes, upcoming meetings in Europe, and the need to reinforce long-term security guarantees for Ukraine. Zelenskyy said a strong coalition continues to stand with Kyiv as diplomatic efforts intensify.
After the meetings in Paris, he reiterated the urgency of the moment: “The war must end as soon as possible.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has intensified his diplomatic push for a “truly durable” peace, holding hours of talks in Paris before joining a series of high-level calls with European leaders and the United States.
Zelenskyy arrived at the Élysée Palace on 01 December for what he described as “several-hour talks” with French President Emmanuel Macron. “During our several-hour talks, Emmanuel Macron and I assessed a great many details. The main focus was on negotiations to end the war and on security guarantees. Peace must become truly durable.”
He stressed that success depends on every international leader, writing: “Much now depends on the involvement of every leader. We will also be speaking with other leaders today.”
The Paris discussions followed a weekend of intensive negotiations in Miami between Ukraine’s team, led by Rustem Umierov, and US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff. The talks centred on a US-backed peace framework that has raised concerns in parts of Europe over the risk of giving Russia excessive concessions. The Miami negotiations came ahead of Witkoff’s planned meeting with Vladimir Putin on 02 December, which the Kremlin has publicly confirmed.
Shortly after meeting Macron, Zelenskyy joined a joint call with Macron, Witkoff, Umierov and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to review the US-Ukraine discussions. Following the briefing, he said: “It was an important briefing, and we agreed to discuss more details in person – our teams will coordinate schedules for possible further contacts.”
Later, Zelenskyy and Macron convened a wider multilateral call with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Italy’s Giorgia Meloni, Finland’s Alexander Stubb, the Netherlands’ Dick Schoof, Denmark’s Mette Frederiksen, Norway’s Jonas Gahr Støre, European Council President António Costa, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, and the UK Prime Minister’s National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell.
The leaders discussed the Miami outcomes, upcoming meetings in Europe, and the need to reinforce long-term security guarantees for Ukraine. Zelenskyy said a strong coalition continues to stand with Kyiv as diplomatic efforts intensify.
After the meetings in Paris, he reiterated the urgency of the moment: “The war must end as soon as possible.”
