2025 Update on Ongoing Fire Relief Efforts
Supporting Families, Volunteers, and Community Members
As we continue to support families, volunteers, and community members impacted by the fires that began on January 7, 2025 we want to provide you with an update on our ongoing Fire Relief Efforts.
Since January 7th, we have:
• Opened the Stars Wellness Center as a drop-in location, ensuring families have access to essential household supplies, hygiene items, grocery and gas gift cards, and school supplies.
• Waived fees for our Counseling and K-12 After School Programs.
• Assisted families with fire relief applications, financial aid, and insurance claims, and connected them to resources.
• Increased our food distribution by 10%, allowing us to provide weekly produce boxes to more families at no cost.
• Offered the Stars Wellness Center as a mailing address for families who have lost their homes and no longer have an address for deliveries.
• Facilitated several community connectivity events in collaboration with our partners.
Community Connectivity Events
The events we hosted with our partners played a vital role in providing students with spaces to relax, have fun, and connect with others amid the challenges brought on by the fires.
In January, we hosted Hangout Days, offering students a place to unwind while schools were closed. Our partner, Mercy Chefs, generously provided lunches on these days. Additionally, we participated in Harambee’s Youth Resource Fair, where we were able to provide lunches to families and refer them to our programs and resources.
In February, we partnered with Day One and Vienna Event Planning & Design to host a Galentine’s event for teen girls affected by the fires. We also hosted our first-ever Book of Dena event in partnership with the Center for Restorative Justice, which featured an evening of storytelling and spoken word to celebrate the history and community of Dena.
Thank You for Your Support in Our Fire Relief Efforts
A special thank you to our partners during this time: Montrose Church, Vintage Church, Landmark Church, Pasadena Foursquare Church, BStrong, Mercy Chefs, Day One, Harmbee, the Center for Restorative Justice, La Cañada Presbyterian Church, Lake Avenue Church, The Waverly School, the Parsons Foundation and Pasadena Community Foundation.
We also want to express our gratitude to our community for supporting us during this time. Whether you donated essential items to our drop-in center, made a financial contribution, prayed for our community, volunteered with us, or partnered with us, your support has made Fire Relief Efforts possible.
Thank you for being a part of this collective effort to help our community heal and rebuild.
