Integrated Response Group

Yesterday our team had the opportunity to come together in person for a planning meeting, with a few members missing, to prepare for the future of response efforts. Moments like this remind us how grateful we are to serve alongside people who are committed to showing up when communities need it most.

We spent time reviewing past deployments, strengthening our strategy, and preparing for the upcoming storm seasons so we can respond faster, smarter, and with greater impact.

We are humbled to be part of an organization built on service, coordination, and the willingness to go where help is needed.

Learn more or support the mission
IntegratedResponseGroup.org

Walkers Wood, Jamaica | Project Update

Here’s a look inside the Walkers Wood Basic School and the spaces where learning continues despite ongoing challenges.

The Walkers Wood Basic School serves children ages 3–5 and currently enrolls 56 students. Their original school building is no longer usable due to severe structural damage and will require a long term solution. To ensure education could continue, classes were relocated to the Walkers Wood Community Center, where students and staff are currently gathering each day.

During our recent visit, we were able to host a Christmas celebration for the students at the community center, providing cake, gifts, and a moment of joy during a season of uncertainty. Even while facing significant infrastructure needs, it was important to support the children and community with encouragement and care.

One of the most urgent needs at the community center is repairing the roof, where approximately one third of the structure is still missing. Replacing the roof will protect students, preserve learning spaces, and allow the school to function safely year round.

Donated funds are currently supporting on the ground assessments, coordination with local leadership, and planning for repairs that prioritize long term impact over temporary fixes. We remain committed to showing the work as it happens and keeping supporters informed every step of the way.

Thank you for standing with this community and helping turn need into action. More updates to come as this project progresses.

Sometimes the most meaningful work is quiet.
It doesn’t make headlines.
It happens in moments where compassion meets a real, human need.

Here is Ethan, in his own words:

“This week we visited the Walkerswood Academy in Jamaica.
The children ages 3 to 6 are attending school in a community center with only a partial roof because their school is severely damaged and uninhabitable.
Miss Wendy the principal has been doing everything she can to keep things going, even spending her own money.

While preparing to hand out toys IRG purchased for this trip, we realized not all of the children were present.
Some families couldn’t afford the 50 dollars per month the school collects for meals.
Miss Wendy told families to send their children anyway and they would sort it out.

In that moment, we decided to pay off the existing lunch debt and commit to covering lunches for all of the children for at least the next semester.

These children ask for nothing.
They require so little to be happy.
Sometimes it’s a 99 cent football or a child wanting to sit in your lap and play with your sunglasses.
I wish more people could see how simple it can be to be a force for good in someone’s life.

This isn’t about me.
This is about all of us.
Your support paid for this.
You made this happen.
I’m just the vessel.
My team is the machine and you are the fuel.
Together, we are making good in the world.”

This is why Integrated Response Group exists.
Because when people show up, when compassion turns into action, real needs are met.
Thank you for being part of this work.

Learn more at integratedresponsegroup.org

After disaster the road to recovery is not always visible but presence matters. Showing up matters. Acting with care matters.

Because of your support we are able to move resources where they are needed most and stand with communities as they begin to recover

Thank you to every donor partner and supporter who helps turn compassion into action

Learn more at
IntegratedResponseGroup.org

Support the mission
https://givebutter.com/IRG-2025

Together we continue to show up where it matters most.