My name is Michael Weithorn, pictured here with my friend Jumad Pinkney. Jumad grew up in Altadena. We’ve known each other since 2005 when I became his mentor through the I Have A Dream Foundation. At that time Jumad’s life was tumultuous, many daunting obstacles in the path ahead, but over the years I've watched this man use his intelligence and creativity and fundamental decency to build a life for himself. Twenty years from our first meeting we remain close and always will be.

On Tuesday night Jumad’s 98 year-old great-grandmother Mary Blueford had to be taken from her Altadena home in an ambulance as the flames approached. Fortunately she got out safely but the home she owned for over fifty years burned to the ground. Jumad’s aunt, Kulima Blueford, also lost her home. Leandrea Johnson, Jumad’s partner and mother of his 3 children, also has close family who lost their homes - her grandparents Ruth and Tony Griffin, plus her aunt Stephanie Sudds and Stephanie’s daughter Diona. Right now they are all in hotels with dwindling funds, nowhere to go and no clear sense of their futures.

I can only imagine the shock and devastation of losing a home. But for people who live paycheck to paycheck or on social security this difficulty is amplified many times over. If you’re so inclined please make a donation to help these good people weather the catastrophe that life has thrown their way to help them pay the cost of basic short term needs - housing, food, medicine etc. And please feel free to share this to your page. Anything you can do will be hugely appreciated.

Mary Blueford's home last Tuesday night

Mary Blueford

Tony and Ruth Griffin

Stephanie and Diona Sudds