Eastmont Community Center: Providing Relief and Support for Families Impacted by the LA Wildfires

The recent LA wildfires have devastated communities, leaving families displaced, businesses struggling, and individuals in urgent need of resources. At Eastmont Community Center (ECC), we are committed to stepping up in times of crisis, providing essential relief and long-term support to those affected.

How We’re Helping

1. Collecting Donations

We are actively collecting and distributing essential supplies, including food, clothing, hygiene products, and household necessities. Thanks to the generosity of our community partners and donors, we ensure families receive the support they need to rebuild their lives.

Since the start of the wildfires, Eastmont Community Center has distributed over 100,000 pounds of food and essential supplies and provided 350 hours of case management assistance to help families access public benefits that offer immediate relief. These efforts reflect our commitment to empowering the community and facilitating recovery during this difficult time.

2. Hosting Workshops on FEMA & State Benefits

Many affected families are unfamiliar with the disaster relief resources available to them. To bridge this gap, we have been hosting workshops to educate individuals on FEMA assistance, California state benefits, and other financial relief programs, ensuring they can access the support they deserve.

3. Assistance with Applications & Case Management

Navigating benefit applications can be overwhelming, especially for those experiencing loss and displacement. Our team provides one-on-one case management services to assist individuals and small business owners in completing aid applications, ensuring they receive timely and much-needed support.

4. Organizing Food Distributions

With many families facing financial hardship, access to nutritious meals is critical. We have expanded our food distribution efforts to serve those impacted by the wildfires, partnering with organizations like Kroger and the LA Regional Food Bank to provide fresh and non-perishable food items to those in need.

Stories of Strength and Resilience

Behind every number and every donation is a family trying to rebuild. Here are just a few of the stories from those impacted by the wildfires:

Jessica Vera – Escaping in the Middle of the Night

"On Tuesday, January 7th, around 2 a.m., I heard strong winds howling, and by morning, our power had gone out. It briefly returned but then failed again by late afternoon. That evening, alarms went off on our phones, warning us about a fire on the mountain. When we looked outside, the fire was so close that we thought it had already reached the houses across the street.

We immediately loaded our kids and dogs into the car and rushed to Pasadena. The streets were chaotic—fallen trees blocked our path, and ash was already filling the air. It was an indescribable and heartbreaking feeling.

Now, we are working toward rebuilding, replacing mattresses, linens, furniture, and repairing parts of our home that were burned. But through it all, we are grateful that we are alive and together."

Hector Baca – Losing More Than a Home

"The winds started on January 6th—stronger than anything we had ever experienced. By the next day, the fires had begun, tearing through most of Altadena and parts of Pasadena. Families lost their homes and businesses, including Fair Oaks Burger, where I worked for over 10 years.

I still remember the fear of having to evacuate my family, rushing to escape while struggling to breathe through the thick smoke. Three days later, when we returned, we faced two weeks without electricity. Thanks to the generosity of neighbors and friends, we managed to get through.

This fire has taken a lot from us, but it hasn’t broken us. We still have faith and strength. Right now, we’re focusing on buying food, toiletries, and household necessities to regain a sense of normalcy."

Iliana Corpus – Saved by the Community

"Having to evacuate my home during the Altadena fires was absolutely terrifying—I had no idea if I’d have anything to come back to. But when I found out that my neighbors worked together to help save my home from burning down, it was truly incredible.

Unfortunately, there was still damage, and many of my household items, furniture, and clothes were soaked in smoke and unsalvageable. The funds from the Walmart gift card will go toward replacing what was lost as I start to rebuild my life."

How You Can Help

The road to recovery is long, and our work is only possible through the support of donors, volunteers, and community partners. Here’s how you can get involved:

• Donate: Financial contributions allow us to sustain and expand our relief efforts. Visit our website to make a secure donation.

• Volunteer: We need helping hands for donation drives, workshops, and food distributions. Sign up to volunteer and make a difference.

• Spread the Word: Share our mission and efforts with your network to raise awareness and support for families in need.

Standing Together for a Stronger Community

Eastmont Community Center has a long-standing commitment to serving underserved communities—and in times of crisis, we remain dedicated to providing relief, hope, and long-term recovery support. Together, we can help families rebuild and strengthen our community.

For more information on our wildfire relief efforts or to get involved, visit eastmontcommunitycenter.org or contact us at ihernandez@eastmontcommunitycenter.org.

Recognizing Our Supporters

We want to acknowledge the donors who have stepped up during these challenging times and supported our efforts with monetary and in-kind contributions:

Global Giving – $10,000

Unidos US – $10,000

Walmart Foundation – $5,000 in Walmart eGift Cards

Kroger – 30,000 pounds of food and clothing