Meet Erika Crossley

Negril isn’t a place I visit — it’s my safe haven. For 15 years, I’ve spent seasons here surrounded by people who feel more like family than friends. Jamaica became my refuge, my rhythm, my reminder that community is the greatest kind of wealth.

When Hurricane Beryl hit, I was living right on 7 Mile Beach at Vickitini Resort. I didn’t leave. I couldn’t. My people were there — Leo, Bobby, Jon Jon, Auntie from Thrill Corner — the same ones who fed me, laughed with me, protected me.

When the winds ripped the roofs off and the sea came charging into the streets, we held each other down — literally. And when the storm finally passed, we didn’t sit around waiting for help.

We cooked the fish we’d caught that morning, right on the beach over open flame because the power was gone. We checked on neighbors. We shared whatever food and water we had. We cleaned what we could with smiles, not tears. It was survival, but it was love too.

That’s when something shifted in me. I wasn’t watching a tragedy. I was living inside a story of resilience.

What I Saw

I saw men climb roofs with bare hands.
I saw women share one burner to feed twenty people.
I saw kids laugh in the middle of chaos.

I’ve lived through Houston’s Hurricane Harvey — I know what destruction looks like. But in Jamaica, I saw something stronger than disaster. I saw community in motion.

And I knew right then — if the world could see what I saw, they’d want to help too.

Why I Built Curated Jamaica

Curated Jamaica started as a lifeline — one person’s promise to friends she loves. But it grew into something bigger: a bridge between people who care and people who don’t have time to wait for red tape.

We rebuild roofs, restock small businesses, and keep local vendors working.
We fund boat captains, chefs, and artisans who are the backbone of Jamaica’s economy.
We send money where it’s needed — not in theory, but in real time.

Because I’m not an outsider coming to “save” anyone. I’m family helping family.

What I Believe

I believe every roof rebuilt is more than construction — it’s a promise kept.
Every meal bought from a local vendor is a vote for independence.
Every dollar given is a reminder that we don’t have to wait for permission to care.

We’re rebuilding Jamaica from the inside out — one home, one shop, one heartbeat at a time.

How You Can Join the Story

When you give, you don’t just fund recovery. You become part of the island’s story — our story.
You’ll see the faces, hear the voices, and know the exact people your gift touches.

• Fix a Roof – $1,000
• Sponsor a Recovery Team – $2,500
• Zelle: ErikaCrossley@gmail.com for immediate local supplies
• GoFundMe – Any amount helps

My Promise

I’m not building a nonprofit. I’m building a movement of care — powered by people, grounded in love, and rooted in the island that changed my life.

When we rebuild Negril, we’re not rebuilding for tourists.
We’re rebuilding for the people who make paradise possible.

— Erika Crossley