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NEW ISSUES EVERY THURSDAY
Issue 08
June 26, 2025
Highlights
Summary (p.3)
Issue 8 highlights new relief funding, recovery planning, permit updates, and rebuilding efforts underway in Altadena.
Altadena Townhall Meeting Video (p.4)
Altadena fire recovery webinars, informed by lessons from the Marshall and Tubbs Fires, emphasized early leadership, equity-focused support, and community-driven solutions, with updates including waived permit fees, streamlined rebuilding, insurance investigations, lead testing, and over 150 neighborhood captains now coordinating local efforts.
Doing Good in the Neighborhood (p.5)
After the Eaton Fire destroyed Odyssey Charter School South, the school community and the Pasadena Boys & Girls Club stepped up to support displaced students by providing safe learning spaces, care, and stability during an incredibly difficult year.
Community Updates (p.6)
Altadena recovery efforts include new relief grants, emergency alert reviews, wildfire planning, and SGV Habitat home rebuilding
Events (p.7)
Get an overview of what to attend virtually and in person this week and next.
Funding (p.8)
Visit the Funding section to view eligibility details, amounts, deadlines, and application links.
Contributors (p.9)
This has been a team effort.
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Summary
Webinars
Doing Good in the Neighborhood
Community Updates
Funding
Summary of the Week
This issue highlights the latest in recovery efforts following the Eaton Fire, including the launch of the Altadena Eaton Fire Relief Fund, which offers grants of $500–$5,000 to directly impacted residents. LA County’s Emergency Alert System review is underway to improve communication failures experienced during evacuations. Engaged California is entering the deliberation phase of its wildfire recovery planning, gathering community priorities to shape future policy. Meanwhile, SGV Habitat for Humanity received a grant from the Pasadena Community Foundation Fire Recovery Fund to begin rebuilding homes in Altadena. The organization offers multiple programs for qualifying families to return home—residents are encouraged to visit sgvhabitat.org for details. LA County has also issued a new permit policy, streamlining like-for-like rebuilds to accelerate housing recovery.
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Video
Town Halls and Meetings
Survivors Speak Out: Highlights from All Together’s June Event
Emergency Failures: No evacuation alerts, no firefighting response, and failed hydrants. Many residents only survived thanks to neighbors, not official systems.
Displacement and Housing Crisis: Survivors face price-gouging, unsafe living conditions, and unclear rebuilding paths. Renters have no formal support system.
Insurance and Financial Barriers: Payouts are delayed or stuck in escrow. Survivors are fighting for fair estimates and basic rights. AB493 would help by requiring escrow interest.
Rebuilding Obstacles: Confusing permitting, septic-to-sewer upgrades costing up to $150K, and no centralized guidance. Neighborhoods like Glen Rose are organizing group rebuilds.
Land Speculation Threat: Nearly 50% of sold lots are going to corporate buyers. Residents are pushing for a $200M acquisition fund and laws to prevent disaster gentrification.
Vulnerable Populations at Risk: Seniors, renters, and undocumented residents face eviction, ICE interference, and no access to resources.
Community Response: 150+ Neighborhood Captains now organizing recovery efforts street-by-street. Residents demand state and local accountability.
Permit Fees Waived
LA County will permanently waive permitting and inspection fees for residents who owned and lived in their homes before January 7, 2025.
Refunds will be issued for fees already paid.Rebuilding Progress
33 permits issued so far; most projects average 46 business days for approval.
Pre-approved plans now available through the Foothill Design Catalog Foundation.Debris Removal
98% of opted-in properties cleared.
Private cleanups must be done by June 30 or the County will step in.Lead Soil Testing
Free self-collection testing available for homes in, near, or downwind of the fire zone.
Results returned in 7–10 business days. Blood lead testing also available.Insurance Investigation
State Farm is under formal investigation for mishandling claims.
Insurance moratorium in place until January 2026. File complaints at insurance.ca.gov.Emergency Alert Review
Independent review of January fire evacuations is underway. Final report coming.Jobs & Youth Programs
Paid disaster-relief jobs, job training, and youth employment available.
Sign up at bit.ly/fireworkforce.Senior & Disability Support
Free transportation, meal delivery, caregiver support, and classes at Altadena Senior Center.
Next event: Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 27.Water & Safety
Water systems restored; weekly coordination ongoing.
Dust control required for debris removal to protect public health.More Info
Recordings and resources: recovery.lacounty.gov/altadena
Shared Recovery Lessons
Early, Clear Leadership: Strong leadership and defined communication structures (like neighborhood captains) were crucial for coordinating recovery.
Community Trust: Transparent updates helped build trust, especially during insurance battles and permitting challenges.
Navigators Matter: Having navigators or liaisons (volunteers or paid roles) who support families individually proved essential to recovery success.
Equity & Inclusion
Many residents who were elderly, uninsured, underinsured, or non-English speaking were at risk of being left behind.
The Marshall Fire team used culturally specific outreach and partnerships with churches and community organizations to improve equity.
They also addressed the mental health toll of long-term disaster recovery and advocated for trauma-informed approaches.
Funding & Rebuilding
Federal and state funding was not enough. Philanthropy, community foundations, and creative local fundraising played a major role.
Marshall used pre-approved plans to help streamline permitting and reduce design costs.
Block captains shared tips on working with architects, general contractors, and permit offices to avoid delays.
Communication Strategies
Weekly town halls and newsletters kept the community informed and reduced confusion.
A centralized source of truth (a single website or platform) was key to managing expectations and updates.
Advice for Altadena
Be loud early—advocate for clear policies around rebuilding, funding access, and renter support.
Document everything (insurance, permitting, deadlines) and create shared tracking tools.
Prioritize equity and build a system that works for all residents, not just the well-resourced.
Recovery is long—celebrate milestones, and don’t let burnout derail progress.
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Doing Good in the Neighborhood
Finding Comfort in the Ashes
Odyssey Charter School South’s Remarkable Resilience
When the Eaton Fire tore through Altadena in January 2025, Odyssey Charter School South was among its many casualties. The TK–8 school lost its entire campus, and many of its students lost their homes. With so much stability wiped away in a matter of hours, the community could have unraveled—but instead, it came together in extraordinary ways.
At the heart of that effort was a network of dedicated parents who stepped up to organize, lead, and support not just their own children but all of the students affected by the fire. Principal Ms. Bonnie, along with her team of teachers and aides, created a sense of normalcy and care during a time of deep collective grief—many of them experiencing personal losses while still showing up every day for their students.
The school’s community outreach was equally powerful. The Pasadena Boys & Girls Club opened its doors to host several Odyssey South classes, giving students a space where they could see familiar faces and feel safe in a new but nurturing environment. In addition, ArtCenter College of Design offered classroom space to accommodate displaced middle schoolers, and a $500,000 grant helped secure new temporary learning environments.
In May, the parent-led “HomeRUN 4 Odyssey” fundraiser not only raised funds but also spirits, highlighting the collective will to rebuild and recover. Even now, as the school approaches a new academic year with many unknowns, the strength of this community is clear.
We honor and thank every organization, educator, parent, and volunteer who has stood beside Odyssey Charter School South during this incredibly difficult year. Their efforts remind us that schools are more than buildings—they are the heart of our neighborhoods, and when tested, they can lead the way forward.
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Community Updates
Altadena Eaton Fire Relief Fund Now Open
The Altadena Town Council, in partnership with GoFundMe, has launched the Altadena Eaton Fire Relief Fund to support residents affected by the January 2025 fire. Grants ranging from $500 to $5,000 are available to one adult per household. Eligible applicants must have lived in Altadena on January 7, 2025, and experienced direct impact from the fire. The application deadline is July 6, with awards disbursed starting July 15. For those without internet access, paper applications will be available beginning July 27 at the Altadena Library. The fund is supported by generous donations from individuals, businesses, and organizations dedicated to community recovery.
Emergency Alert System Review Underway
LA County has commissioned an independent review of emergency alerts and public safety communications during the January fire, aiming to understand gaps in evacuation notifications and improve protocols. The review includes community listening sessions and surveys to incorporate firsthand experiences. Results will guide policy changes that strengthen future emergency communications across the region.
https://altadenatowncouncil.org/2025/06/altadena-eaton-fire-relief-fund-applications-now-open/
Engaged California Launches Wildfire Recovery Deliberations
Engaged California is working with Altadena and Palisades fire survivors to shape long-term recovery plans through a deliberative democracy process. After collecting over 1,200 community comments during the agenda-setting phase, the initiative will now move into small-group deliberations focused on top priorities like fire-resilient rebuilding, housing access, and equity. Residents can follow progress or sign up to participate at https://engaged.ca.gov/lafires-recovery/.
New Streamlined Permit Policy for Fire Survivors
To accelerate rebuilding, LA County has launched a streamlined “like-for-like” permit process for residents whose homes were destroyed by the fire. Property owners rebuilding within the original footprint using comparable design and materials will now benefit from faster approvals and simplified requirements. The new policy is intended to reduce red tape, speed up recovery timelines, and support safe return-to-home efforts. For details, visit the LA County Public Works or Planning Department website.
SGV Habitat for Humanity Secures Funding for Rebuilding
San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity has received a major grant from the Pasadena Community Foundation’s Fire Recovery Fund to begin construction on the first phase of replacement homes for families affected by the Eaton Fire. This funding marks a critical milestone in Altadena’s long-term recovery efforts and will allow the organization to move forward on housing for qualified fire survivors in the coming months. Many community members may qualify for SGV Habitat’s affordable housing programs, so residents are encouraged to reach out for more information at www.sgvhabitat.org.
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Events
This Saturday brings a meaningful mix of options for families impacted by the Eaton Fire — offering opportunities for emotional support, practical rebuilding guidance, and moments of connection, play, and joy.
Focusing on Our Children: Healing and Play
Recognizing the lasting effects of the fire on young people, two events are centered around children’s mental health and emotional recovery.
Senator Sasha Renée Pérez will be hosting Healing Together: Our Children’s Mental Health After the Eaton Fire, featuring mental health professionals and community organizations providing practical tools and resources to help families support children through trauma. Organizations such as the LA County Department of Mental Health, Didi Hirsch, and NAMI San Gabriel Valley will on-site, along with Senator Pérez’s staff sharing state-level resources for recovery. This powerful event will be held from 10:00am - 12:00pm at PCC's Creveling Lounge.
Stick around because Day of Play will commence from 11:00am - 3:00pm at PCC to give families a chance to simply be together and have fun. It’s going to be a day full of fun and connection for families featuring arts & crafts, snacks & beverages, fun games, a bubble station, a backpack giveaway filled with fun and educational activities, and plenty more!
Resilient Rebuild: Planning for a Safer Future
For those that can't join in person, LA County is hosting a virtual workshop, Resilient Rebuild Resource Guide, from 10:00 - 11:00am, designed for residents in unincorporated areas recovering from the Eaton and Palisades wildfires. The workshop will include an overview of the resource guide and the information and resources for planning, designing, and constructing a high-performance building more resilient to fire risks.
A Musical Tribute to Altadena: Jazz in the Park
For those seeking comfort through culture and community, Jazz in the Park at Loma Alta Park provides a perfect close to the day. Altadena native Michael Haggins will perform a heartfelt pay musical tribute to Altadena honoring the strength and spirit of our beloved community. The concert also marks the joyful return of Loma Alta Park!
Together, these events reflect a community deeply committed to healing — mind, home, and heart — as we continue to recover and rebuild together.
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NAME OF ORGANIZATION
ELIGIBILITY
AMOUNT
DUE DATE
APPLICATION LINK
Pay It Forward by Spectrum
Spectrum supports Altadena businesses with free TV advertising. To apply for the 2025 Pay It Forward program, businesses must be legally registered to operate within a designated market area served by Spectrum Reach. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year.
$5,000
Altadena uninsured or underinsured homeowners aged 65+ who lost their homes in the Eaton Fire can receive emergency financial assistance. To qualify, homeowners must have experienced total loss during the Eaton Fire and lived within U.S. Census Tracts 4602, 4603.01, 4603.02 and 4610. Homeowners can determine their census tract by visiting altadenatowncouncil.org. Assistance will be distributed until funds are exhausted.
The Altadena Community Preservation Fund
$15,000
February 15, 2026
Pasadena Community Foundation
Grants may be made only to tax-exempt organizations under Section 501(c) (3) or 170(c) (1) or (2) (b) of the Internal Revenue Code. None shall be made to Private Foundations under Section 509(1) of the Code. An organization must have been in existence for at least two years (based on the date of IRS determination letter) and have achieved a record of effective service and sustainability. All previous grants must be completed. A grantee with an “open grant” will be ineligible for new funding. Grantees who have not complied with previous grant deadlines and reports or receipts may not be eligible for new grant consideration.
$10,000 - $150,000
Essential workers whose workplaces are affected, who lost wages due to evacuation or work closure, or whose homes were impacted directly.
Filipino Migrant Center/National Alliance for Filipino Concerns Aid Application
varies
Must have one to two qualified guarantors; more details online.
varies
Jewish Free Loan Association (JFLA) Fire Relief Loan
Craft artists who have experienced a recent disaster, 18+, lived & worked in the U.S. for two years.
Craft Artists Emergency Relief Grant
varies
Wildfire Relief Loan is available to both new and current USC Credit Union members, offering a low 4.99% APR to support short- and long-term recovery efforts.
USC Credit Union Relief Assistance
varies
Funding
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Contributors
Bree Jensen
Meagan Schmidt
Jemimah Perez
Head of Creative
hello.barnabestudio@gmail.com
https://www.barnabestudio.com/
Mikah Gay
Editor
meagan@thesocialimpact.co
https://thesocialimpact.co/
Kathy Taing