Help Janice, Lew and Little Milo Recover From Eaton Fire

Janice, Lew, and our little Milo—have been forever changed by the Eaton Fire. Like so many others in their neighborhood, they’ve been displaced from their home, and their lives have been turned upside down. They never thought they'd have to ask for help, but they’ve reached a point where they can’t do this on their own.

The fire didn’t just destroy homes; it left the entire town of Altadena in ruins. Over 9,000 structures were reduced to ash, creating a hazmat zone filled with toxic materials like lead, asbestos, and volatile chemical compounds that still linger in the air. Milo’s future preschool was among the many buildings lost, a painful reminder of the community they once had.

Insurance was supposed to be their safety net, but instead, it’s become another challenge. They’ve refused to replace damaged items, denied them proper housing, and won’t even cover essential toxicity testing to ensure their home is safe for reentry. Despite their best efforts, the roadblocks have left them feeling overwhelmed and completely defeated.

Since the fire, the family has been hopping from one temporary housing situation to the next, trying to stay afloat while dealing with the emotional weight of survivor’s guilt. The road ahead feels daunting, with so much left to do just to make their home livable again. Once the cleanup is complete—likely a year from now—they’ll face a second round of smoke remediation, entirely out of pocket, since insurance won’t cover it.

They’ve tried to handle this on their own, but realized that they can’t do it without leaning on community. We’re asking for your help to make safe again for Milo the place they call home.

Your kindness and support mean the world to us. Whether it’s a donation or simply sharing their story, anything you can do to help would be deeply appreciated. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for standing with them during this incredibly difficult time.

With gratitude,

Friends of Janice, Lew, and Milo