Help Me Rebuild and Support Our .

Thnak you for taking the time to read my story. I didn’t initially create a gofundme or have anyone else create one for me. Due to the fact that my house didn’t burn down and so many of my friends houses did. But as time went on, I learned that the house I was living at was severely damaged by smoke. It was tested for a lead, asbestos, and arsenic. The owners won’t get the house remediated properly. So I was forced to leave.I had been living there for a month and a half after the fire, and I was exposed. since I was renting and didn’t have any renters insurance. I didn’t qualify for so many of the help that I didn’t even know I needed it.

I lost my clothes and I haven’t had a place to live since February. A friend helped me create this and I do seek some help and assistance. There are some other things too, that I’m dealing with, like loss of car, I was laid off before the fires. so anything would help.

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What I’ve Seen and Experienced

On the first night of the evacuation, I chose to stay behind, even amidst the chaos. It sounded like a war zone. I stayed because I wanted to protect my home from the fire and looters, and didn’t have the resources to go to a hotel.

The following morning, I walked through the aftermath and saw the destruction firsthand. Entire neighborhoods were reduced to ashes. Just a few blocks away, I checked on a friend’s home—an elderly woman who lives with her blind son. Their house was completely gone. I was in shock.

This community has been my home. I’ve lived in many places across the country, but Altadena was the first to truly welcome me. It gave me a sense of belonging I hadn’t felt before. Now, seeing it in ruins breaks my heart.

Since the fire, I’ve tried to help wherever I can. I assisted a couple in navigating a blocked road to check on their house after hearing it had been spared. That’s when I captured a photo of an angel statue standing amidst the devastation.

At another corner—Lake Avenue and New York Drive—I met a friend who hadn’t yet seen what was left of his home. I showed him a video of where his building used to be, and he broke down in tears.

The area remains evacuated due to smoke damage, contaminated water, and the constant presence of armed guards. The smell of ash lingers, the PTSD is real, and the knowledge that my community is forever changed is overwhelming.

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Thank you for reading my story. Your kindness and support, whether through a donation, a share, or simply taking the time to listen, mean more than words can express. Together, I hope we can begin to rebuild—not just homes, but the spirit of a community that welcomed me with open arms.