Our community’s astounding support of PCF’s Eaton Fire Relief & Recovery Fund has helped many Altadena and Pasadena nonprofit organizations that are assisting the urgent needs of fire-impacted residents. PCF’s first round of emergency funding was disbursed on January 17.
As they’ve had time to connect with us, many of the funded organizations are letting PCF know how they are using the Eaton Fire Fund Phase 1 funding. Here is a small sampling of how PCF’s grants are supporting organizations in the thick of fire relief.
Boys & Girls Club Pasadena — More than 50 BGCP members lost their homes. The organization opened a full-time program at no charge to client and new families that needed care; provided Target gift cards to families who lost their homes; and brought in two licensed clinicians to prioritize mental health for children, families, and staff.
Door of Hope — An organization uniquely positioned to address housing issues, Door of Hope launched its Rapid Re-Housing Initiative to support up to 50 families with immediate and long-term housing solutions, including move-in support, FEMA and insurance application assistance, and financial aid to bridge gaps not covered by other sources. It is also ensuring that impacted families are connected to case management, therapy, healthcare, public benefits, and employment resources to holistically address their recovery needs.
CASA Treatment Center — Fifteen members of the Casa Community have been directly impacted by the devastation of the fire. CASA will use PCF funding to support current clients, Casa alumnae, and community members who have also suffered losses.
Families Forward Learning Center — Twenty-five FFLC clients lost their homes, and 90% of its program participants were evacuated; clients’ employment situations have also been greatly impacted. FFLC has used PCF funding to help families cover rent, phone and utility bills. Families returning to their homes are receiving air purifiers, cleaning supplies, and grocery cards.
Flintridge Center — Just 10 days after the fire, Flintridge Center organized an impressive drive-through community-wide relief drive, which, in the words of Executive Director Josh McCurry, “turned into a two week outpouring of support and resilience, and a humbling display of community.” The organization has since operated as a collection and distribution hub for thousands of families impacted by the fire.
Impact House — The Altadena residential campus for sober living burned to the ground, and the residents there lost everything. Sixteen staff members also lost their homes. The organization has had to relocate the 130 men/women that call Impact’s residential campus their home. PCF’s funding has helped with relocation efforts for clients.
MPYD — PCF’s funding supported the families of 20 MPYD (Mentoring & Partnership for Youth Development, a program for John Muir High School students) student participants with checks to cover emergency supplies and housing; all of them suffered significant losses in the fire.
NDLON (National Day Laborer Organizing Network) — NDLON/the Pasadena Job Center has used PCF funding to help its role as an ongoing Emergency Response Center, collecting and distributing food, water, toiletries, clothes, and PPE to thousands of impacted families. It has also organized “Fire Brigades” of day laborers and volunteers for debris clean-up efforts across the city.
Pasadena Humane — Since the fire began, Pasadena Humane has taken in nearly 1,000 lost and injured animals and helped with hundreds of reunifications, including more than 800 through our Strike Team in the field and fire zone.
St. Vincent de Paul (located within Altadena’s St. Elizabeth Church) — PCF’s funding helped the organization provide cash assistance to 50 families impacted by the fire.
Young & Healthy — More than 50% of Young & Healthy’s clients have been impacted by the fire. The organization provided immediate insurance assistance and medical, dental and mental health referrals. It established an emergency fund to help clients cover urgent expenses, held a donation distribution and has offered FEMA completion support.