Brick by Brick: Rockhouse Foundation surpasses $11 million in donations as Hurricane Melissa recovery efforts take center stage

The Rockhouse Foundation, the esteemed charitable vanguard of the 51-year-old Rockhouse Hotel and sister property Skylark Negril Beach Resort has reached a historic milestone by raising more than $11 million USD to modernize Western Jamaica’s education infrastructure. Since its inception in 2003, the foundation has gone beyond mere charity to undertake a deep transformation of six local schools and the overall expansion of the Negril Community Library, creating a sustainable model for social responsibility within the tourism industry.

At the heart of this mission is the Savanna-la-Mar Inclusive Academy (Sav Inclusive), a groundbreaking institution built from the ground up by the Foundation. Born from a visionary dialogue between foundation chairman Peter Rose and a hotel worker seeking resources for her autistic son, the academy represents a rare, fully inclusive environment where children with and without disabilities learn side by side. What started in 2017 with 30 preschoolers has grown into a vibrant campus of 265 students through grade 6, with a therapeutic sensory space, a dedicated team of speech and physiotherapists and a fully zoned, environmentally conscious infrastructure.

To guide this growing mission, the Foundation recently appointed Vanessa Moore as Director of Partnerships. A native of Jamaica, Moore, whose professional journey came full circle in November 2024, has a formidable background as a high-level executive for MTV, the Oprah Winfrey Network, NBC and TMZ. Her appointment continues a family legacy of service; her father, Bertel Moore, was mayor of Savanna-la-Mar and CEO of the Westmoreland Municipal Corporation, embodying a deep-rooted commitment to the community that Vanessa continues today.

Moore’s transition from Hollywood boardrooms to Jamaican advocacy was catalyzed by a personal awakening to social justice and the needs of the less fortunate.

“My heart was really rooted in the space of advocacy and activism,” the polymath reflected on her career pivot. “I saw something very special about the DNA of the Rockhouse brand; it was rooted in families and community. Those things carry on life.”

Compassion in the aftermath of the crisis

The Foundation’s impact has never been more important than in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, which left 82% of Westmoreland without power.

In a period of unprecedented challenges, the foundation demonstrated its qualities logistical agility, transfer $500,000 via GoFundMe to provide immediate relief. This effort has been instrumental in rebuilding homes for employees and students like young Rajan – a student with cerebral palsy who has gained the ability to walk and talk through the Academy’s specialized care – and Xandy, whose family of eight is being supported with a new home. The foundation also acted with immediate agility to protect its student families and staff. Under Moore’s leadership, the Foundation’s separate assistance, which was intended for displaced hotel workers, exceeded $100,000.

“The Rockhouse Foundation Hurricane Recovery Fund will provide direct support to rebuild Sav Inclusive School and help the students, families and teachers most affected by the storm. Your donation – large or small – will go directly to: Providing immediate assistance to the hardest-hit families, students and teachers. Repairing and rebuilding damaged classrooms and therapy spaces. Replacing vital educational and therapeutic equipment lost to flooding. Restoring a safe, nurturing environment for our students to return and can flourish,” the organization’s GoFundMe explains.

While the Jamaican government estimates damage to schools at more than 15 billion Jamaican dollars, Moore notes that 80% of effective aid comes from grassroots and international NGOs. From Skylark Negril Beach Resort, partners like World Central Kitchen have served more than two million meals, proving that the private sector is now the key driver of recovery for the island’s western region.

“It is a call to action for the world to stand up as human beings and be kind and decent citizens of the world to help your fellow brother. As a person who has been advocating for the less fortunate for many years, it breaks my heart to know that there are citizens of Jamaica who may be without electricity until March of next year,” Moore explained.

This humanitarian work is fueled by the success of the Rockhouse Hotel, which was awarded a prestigious MICHELIN One Key in 2025, recognizing it as a ‘very special stay’.

By covering 100% of the Foundation’s administrative costs through its hospitality operations (including the critically acclaimed Miss Lily’s and the Skylark boutique resort), the organization ensures that every cent of the public donation goes directly to the children.

From the new hydroponic farm to the expansion of Sav Inclusive through the high school, the Rockhouse Foundation is the powerhouse in integrating world-class tourism with local empowerment.

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