As Altadena Recovers, Community Is The Bright Spot

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.

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.