Hello, my name is Ivon and my family and I were directly impacted by the fire that broke out at 201 W 107th St.

On December 9th around 8:30 AM, my family and I were getting ready to start our day when loud banging on our door warned us there was a fire. My sister, grandmother, and I rushed out in our pajamas with only our coats and purses. The moment we opened our door, the hall was already filled with thick smoke. By the time we made it outside, we were watching a horrific 4-alarm fire destroy the home my grandmother has lived in for 45 years.

We are deeply grateful that everyone in our building made it out alive, but the uncertainty we’re now facing is overwhelming. We want to thank the first responders who acted quickly, especially in getting my grandmother medical care. Thank you to the American Red Cross for their support during these traumatic hours, and to our local church for giving us a warm place to stay while we waited for answers. Thank you to friends and family who have checked in, offered help, and opened their homes to us.

Right now, we don’t know what our future holds. If the building can be saved, it could take months or even years before we can return. The worst-case scenario is a full demolition and rebuild under new management. Many of our neighbors—including elderly residents and college students—are suddenly displaced and unsure where they’ll go after the holidays. The fire department has also prepared us for the likelihood that anything not burned may still be ruined by water damage. Everything we lost in that home can someday be replaced—but the memories held within those walls cannot. Our family home will never be the same, and that is what hurts the most.

I created this GoFundMe to support my grandmother after the fire and to help long-time residents in our building who are not fluent in English or tech-savvy and need assistance navigating this crisis. I was living with my grandmother when the fire broke out and will be managing the funds on her behalf. All donations will be distributed directly to her, to the neighbors we personally know. The remaining funds will be given to our church to support the rest of the impacted tenants. Our goal is to distribute the initial funds by Sunday, December 14th but we will continue accepting donations and sharing support afterward.

In addition to financial support, our church is accepting donations of hygiene items, coats, blankets, scarves, gloves and hats. Items can be sent to:

Ascension Roman Catholic Church

221 W 107th Street

New York, NY 10025

If you have information about housing resources or other forms of assistance, please contact me directly. And if you aren’t able to donate, simply sharing this page can make a huge difference.

Thank you for taking the time to read our story.

With the utmost gratitude,

Ivon