Help Us Start Over After Palisades Fire

Dear Friends, Family, and Kind Strangers,

My 4-year-old child and I have faced the unimaginable—our lives were completely destroyed in the Palisades Fire. In a matter of moments, the life I worked so hard to create as a single mother disappeared. Our cherished memories and the safe space we called home are gone as we know it.

I never thought I’d ever be in a position where I’d need to ask for help like this. You never think it will happen to you—until it does. The shock and overwhelming loss we’re experiencing has left me feeling incredibly lost, and asking for support in this way is humbling beyond words. But as I try to piece together a sense of stability for my child and myself, I realize I can’t do this alone.

Your kindness and generosity will help us begin our lives from the bottom up and create safety and security for my child again. As a single mother, I was already facing challenges as the sole provider. Then, the unimaginable happened: we lost our entire neighborhood. Homes, schools, the library, and parks where laughter once filled the air—all gone. We left with hardly anything except the clothes on our backs, but I left with the one thing that matters most: my child. We are safe, sound, and resilient.

We are raising funds to regain stability for my son and me as I had limited savings and was wildly ill-prepared to lose my entire neighborhood in the blink of an eye. Every single donation, no matter how small, allows us to assist with needs that are not covered by other sources of aid and brings us one step closer to creating a new future for my child and to supporting my community.

This is the most difficult challenge I’ve ever faced. If you can’t donate, sharing our story with others would mean the world to us as we navigate through this crisis.

From the bottom of my heart, I thank you for your kindness, compassion, and generosity during this incredibly challenging time.

With immense gratitude,

Melanie

Every bit of help, no matter the size, is a light in this dark time. Thank you for being part of our journey to heal and return to safety and stability. Your support means everything.