Source: Mario Tama / Getty
In the aftermath of the devastating January wildfires, communities across Los Angeles County are picking up the pieces as they navigate their new reality.
The deadliest of the recent California wildfires, the Eaton and Palisades fires, leveled entire communities—destroying homes, schools, houses of worship, and businesses. Thousands of people across Southern California have been displaced, disrupting families with deep roots in their communities. Sadly at least 29 people have died in the fires.
As of February 1st, nearly one month after they broke out, the wildfires are now 100 percent contained. Residents from Altadena to the Pacific Palisades are on a long road to recovery as some rebuild and others face a more uncertain future.
Community is the bright spot
While the images coming out of Southern California are devastating, the community’s overwhelming response has been a bright spot amidst immense loss and suffering. Neighbors have stepped up to donate their time, money, and truckloads of items to help those impacted by the wildfires get back on their feet.
Donation drives large and small have sprung up across Los Angeles, collecting and distributing essential items like clothing, food, toiletries, and more to those in need.
Common Unity Arts, a non-profit based in Inglewood, quickly organized a donation pop-up in town with a selection of donated goods—clothing, shoes, and more—free for those uprooted by the wildfires. “Although people are displaced, they still deserve quality,” said founder Iman Europe in a TikTok sharing the event.
Source: Lizzy Pace / Lizzy Pace
Neighbors of Altadena
The Eaton Fire destroyed more than 9,400 homes, schools, and businesses largely in Altadena, marking a devastating loss to a community rich in Black history. “Altadena was the first place that I saw Black success normalized,” Europe said in another post. “When I say success, I don’t only mean financially. I mean the family units were together.”
But in the aftermath of tragedy, the community has displayed enormous strength and solidarity. Wasting no time, neighbors organized next steps as their new reality set in.
Neighbors of Altadena is a coalition of volunteers doing their part to support impacted residents in and around Altadena. Alongside donation drives and other relief initiatives across LA, they do the necessary work of helping people get organized and connecting them with the resources they need to rebuild and recover.
From something as simple as offering access to a computer or printer and suspending subscriptions to helping people navigate insurance policies and replace important documents like passports and birth certificates—it’s about giving people who walk through their door one less thing to worry about. Their motto: “Let’s cross something off your overwhelming to-do list together.”
How it began
Becky Hummel and her mother Moira pulled together the first Neighbors of Altadena support session helped by a steady stream of volunteers. Hummel, who grew up in La Cañada Flintridge, a city just west of Altadena, has ties to the community as a lifelong resident of the area. “We started hearing from people and talking to friends that we knew in Altadena who had lost their homes or were displaced,” Hummel told NewsOne. “There’s a shift and change in Los Angeles permanently. There’s a gaping hole in communities.”
The response
Hummel and her mother, both lawyers, sought help from volunteers who bring a wide range of expertise—from mental health and the housing market to college applications and tech. “But we welcome everyone because if they’re showing up with an interest, they often have the right attitude to be like, ‘We’re gonna work through this,’” said Hummel.
Every Saturday, Neighbors of Altadena welcomes the community at their current hub, St. Bede Parish Center in La Cañada. The coalition just completed their third support session in the first weekend of February.
The turnout has been nothing short of inspiring, Hummel told NewsOne. “I’ve been an LA resident my whole life. People are really getting creative and showing up in a way that’s been incredible.”
Looking ahead
Hummel and her team are planning for the long road ahead. For the foreseeable future, Neighbors of Altadena is here to stay, with plans to expand. “We’re running it every weekend for as long as there’s a need,” said Hummel. “Every week they have a place where they can go and be reminded that people are still paying attention and care about the complete disruption in their lives.”
The good news is that there hasn’t been a shortage of people who want to help. “Right now we’re doubling the people that come in every week,” she said. “We’re trying to harness that good in the people who are showing up with such energy and enthusiasm. We want to keep that going.”
How the broader community can help
For those who want to help the community recover—aside from donating to programs like Neighbors of Altadena to help keep them running—another way is to check in with progress down the road.
“If this is something you care about, put a reminder for yourself four months out to check in on these programs and see what their needs are,” said Hummel. “The needs are going to change so much as more time passes, and it already has.”
SEE ALSO:
The Black History Of Altadena And Pasadena
LA Wildfires: Ben Crump Sues Again Amid Calls For Mortgage Moratorium To Protect Black Homeownership
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