Dear friends, family, and kind-hearted strangers,

My name is Julia Johnson, and I am from Los Angeles, CA. I'm reaching out on behalf of our dear family friend, Leticia Andujo, and her son, Diego. Leticia is a retired LAUSD schoolteacher, single mother, and caregiver to her adult son, Diego, who lives with autism. Leticia taught school in Southern California (with my mom in the '80s), and has since retired from Theodore Roosevelt High School in Boyle Heights. For as long as I've known her (my entire 33 years of life), she has been a constant example of compassion, kindness, and resilience in facing any challenge life throws her. She does it all for Diego, whose eyes shine bright with the love his mom has shown him from day one.

But none of us could have imagined the challenges of the past week. Tragically, Leticia and Diego lost their Altadena home of 36 years to the devastating Eaton Fire. They had to rush out of their home during the evacuation and could grab only a few personal belongings. She will need help creating a stable life for her son and herself again.

Leticia is not someone who would ever ask for help herself, but we know how much she deserves it. She has spent her life as an educator, nurturing children and serving her community while being a dedicated mother to Diego. Now, she and Diego need the same kind of care and compassion.

We know there are countless families in need right now, but we humbly ask for your support in helping Leticia and Diego recover from this tragedy. Your donations will go directly toward the many aspects of recovery needed to restore a sense of normalcy and security, which is crucial for Diego.

Every contribution, no matter how small, will make a meaningful difference in their journey forward. All donations will go toward supporting their recovery, getting them back on their feet, and may assist with needs that are not covered by other sources of aid. And if you're unable to donate at this time, sharing their story with others would mean the world to us.

Thank you for taking the time to read about these very special people. Your kindness and generosity will go a long way toward giving them hope and a fresh start during this incredibly difficult time. Our hearts have been breaking over and over again as we learn more about the impacts of these fires, but watching the people of Los Angeles come together in this moment has been a beautiful thing to see.

We wish you safety and love in this challenging time.

With gratitude,

Julia Johnson