For Leading Families Home employee Carlene Dale, helping families in Jamaica recover from Hurricane Melissa is deeply personal.

Carlene’s mother, the late Una E. Jones, was born in Brighton, St. Elizabeth, Jamaica before eventually making Toledo her home.

Throughout her life, she demonstrated a deep commitment to caring for others, including her work at Sunshine Children’s Home where she took great pride in supporting children with disabilities.

That spirit of service continues through Carlene.

Following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa, Carlene turned her connection to Jamaica into action. In April 2026, she gathered needed items to take to communities on the island. She returned again in September with another collection of supplies, including book bags and other items for children and families.

The need remains significant. Hurricane Melissa struck Jamaica as a Category 5 storm in October 2025, affecting communities across the island and causing widespread damage to homes, livelihoods and essential services. Nearly a year later, families continue the long process of recovery and rebuilding.

For Carlene, these trips are about more than delivering supplies. They are a way to stay connected to her roots, carry forward her mother’s legacy of caring for others and use her own experiences to make a difference.

“My greatest victory is turning my struggles into a purpose, using what I have learned to give hope, create opportunities and remind others that they, too, can rise above adversity,” Carlene said.



It is a message that closely reflects the work of Leading Families Home and our belief in helping people find hope, opportunity and a path forward. We are proud of Carlene and the compassion she continues to show to families both here at home and in Jamaica.