On Wednesday, March 31, a fire broke out at the Milan family home on Mabel St. in South Berkeley, opposite the tennis courts at San Pablo Park. 12-year-old Rayland smelled smoke, woke his grandmother Sylvia, got her out of the house, and called 911. Minutes later, the Berkeley Fire Department arrived and immediately called four backup engines. 

Rayland saved his grandmother's life, but the Milan family home, which has been in the family for over 80 years, went up in flames. The house will be uninhabitable for at least a year. Sylvia, her sister, Sylvia's son and her grandson Simeon (who's graduating high school this year) have lost nearly everything they own -- work clothes, church clothes, school clothes, furniture, football equipment, and even Simeon's graduation robe. Insurance will cover rebuilding and replacing many of the tangible things in the house, but it will not cover the cost of living (utilities, food, personal items, etc.) as they rebuild their lives.

As they seek temporary housing and work to get resettled, they need two things:
* Funds to give them a financial cushion as they deal with the inflated rents of the Bay Area and needs not covered by insurance. 
* Any leads on a three-bedroom rental, in South Berkeley so Sylvia and her sister can get to work and so Rayland can easily get to the house after school. Any leads on a place are welcome; we just want to get them as close to their original neighborhood as possible!! 

The family really appreciates all the people who have come forward with offers to help -- funds and/or leads on housing are great ways to help them get on their feet and stay in their neighborhood.