WESTMORELAND, Jamaica — In an effort to help employees affected by Hurricane Melissa rebuild, Couples Resorts through its non-profit arm, the Issa Trust Foundation, safely reopened its doors to guests on December 1, and hosted its first team of dedicated volunteer construction workers, led by contractor Dirk Bartolazzi of Bartolazzi Homes in Wisconsin.

The team spent last week on site in Westmoreland, rebuilding and repairing the homes of several team members from Couples Negril and Couples Swept Away who were amongst those hardest hit by Hurricane Melissa.

Additionally, team members will receive building supplies to assist with home repairs and the volunteer team plans to return in the new year to continue the critical work of rebuilding.

“The Issa Trust Foundation – whose focus has always been paediatric health care – made the decision, after Hurricane Melissa, to focus for now on helping to rebuild the damaged and destroyed homes of our Couples Resorts staff,” said Chairman of the Issa Trust Foundation Paul Issa, “And, thanks to the generosity of our many repeat guests and other donors, we are now in the process of doing that.”

“When a family loses their home, time matters,” added Bartolazzi.  “Our goal was simple: move quickly, work safely and give families back a place they can once again call home.  Being able to repair the damage and restore a home  right before their eyes, bring the hope and joy it brings, is why we do this work.”

Additionally, in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, Couples Resorts mobilised an extensive relief and recovery effort focused on supporting affected team members and surrounding communities.

Immediate assistance included the distribution of care packages with food, water, batteries, and other essentials; the provision of temporary housing for more than 100 employees who lost their homes; and the continued payment of wages during the recovery period.

A transparent disaster relief fund was established with donations received from loyal Couples Resorts guests, friends and partners to provide financial assistance based on the level of damage sustained, totalling to date approximately US$455,000, including US$100,000 contributed by Couples Resorts

Before: Lee Issa, Chairman of Couples Resorts, with his brother Paul, Chairman of the Issa Trust Foundation, visit the site of a staff house in Westmoreland during the rebuilding process.

After: Dirk Bartolazzi, construction lead for the project (in window, far left) with his team and happy Couples Resorts team member in front of the repaired house, which took one day to complete.