Help Carla Saenz Rebuild After Eaton Fire

Dear GoFundMe Community:

My name is Heather, and I am starting this fundraiser for my colleague and friend, Duarte High Teacher, Carla Saenz, in an effort to help her rebuild after she lost her home, all of her belongings, and beloved cats in the Eaton Fire. She and I are both teachers in Duarte Unified.

Carla's home is in Altadena, CA, a city that has been absolutely devastated with block after block of homes, businesses, and schools burned to the ground. Although Carla's house was structurally saved, it is uninhabitable and miraculously the ONLY house on her block still standing, due to the heroic actions of her dear friend and roommate, Santiago. He lived in the back house, which unfortunately burned down (He also has a GoFundMe). While she evacuated with her dog and one of the cats, he stayed behind watering the house all night long.

While one day she will have a home to go back to, the clean-up effort and the damage is so extensive, she will need housing and all the things that come with starting over again.

Any amount you can donate to her fund is very much appreciated. I can with 100% certainty vouch, as a Duarte Unified teacher who once also worked with Carla at DHS, she is a person that puts the needs of her colleagues and students above her own; it's time we all come together to help her in her time of need.

Note: Carla would like to extend her gratitude to everyone that has helped her through this process—from finding resources and donations, temporary housing, and just the outpouring of love and support she is receiving.