Like many others in our beautiful and welcoming community, our father, Jervey Tervalon, lost his home in Altadena due to the Eaton Canyon Fire. A beloved figure in the neighborhood, friends and acquaintances often mention seeing him gardening or walking around town, newspaper and coffee in hand.

Growing up, those walks around the neighborhood were some of our favorite moments with our dad. As our community begins to rebuild, we look forward to sharing those walks with him again.

Our father is an acclaimed novelist and professor, known for spending hours in coffee shops writing and forming connections with people from all walks of life. In recent years, he has been navigating ongoing health challenges that have profoundly affected his life and our family, leaving him unable to work. This experience has brought many challenges and uncertainties, teaching us the importance of patience, understanding, and resilience.

The fire took not only the home that gave him comfort and joy but also a sense of security we had hoped would support him in the years ahead. Rebuilding represents more than just a house; it’s a step toward restoring what he’s lost and providing the stability he deserves.

His home insurance doesn't cover fires. This is unfortunately common for the state of CA.

We humbly ask for your help in this transition to restore comfort and hope for him.

With love and gratitude,

Giselle and Elise Tervalon