Hello friends, family, and community of Jaime, Lorena, Arleen, and Jair Duran,
As some of you may know, on March 6, 2026, the building the Duran family has called home for eighteen years in Oceanview was destroyed by a fire that began in the communal laundry room. Thankfully, the entire family (along with their beloved dog, Oso) and the other tenants were able to escape safely. However, the fire resulted in a total loss of their home.
Virtually everything they owned was destroyed. Aside from a few smoke-damaged clothes and a handful of salvaged personal items, they lost all of their clothing, furniture, appliances, computers, and electronics, including Jair’s beloved PlayStation (which he says was “the most important thing we lost” ;) ).
Since the fire, the family has been staying in a hotel. Jaime and Lorena are now actively searching for a longer-term rental while beginning the overwhelming process of replacing their belongings. Finding an affordable place that will accept Oso has been especially challenging. While they did have renters insurance, it is expected to cover less than half of the total costs associated with their displacement and losses.
Funds raised will help the Duran family cover the cost of replacing essential belongings and managing the high cost of temporary housing until they can either return to their apartment after repairs or secure a new home.
Estimated replacement costs:
- Furniture (beds, couches, tables, desks): $30,000
- Clothing and shoes: $20,000
- Electronics (laptops, TVs, game consoles): $15,000
- Kitchenware and household items (bedding, linens, etc.): $10,000
- Dog supplies and miscellaneous items: $3,000
Estimated total: $78,000
(plus ongoing temporary housing expenses)
While the family is incredibly grateful to be together and unharmed, they have shared that this has been the most stressful time of their lives. If you are able, please consider supporting them during this incredibly difficult period.
For those who may not know the Durans personally, we would love to share a bit about this wonderful family:
Jaime and Lorena are a spirited, kind and hard-working duo, rooted in their San Francisco communities. They attend Corpus Christi Church of San Francisco. Jaime has worked as an electrician in the San Francisco Bay Area for over 20 years, while Lorena has been the heart of their home, caring for and supporting their family.
Their children, Arleen and Jair, share a close bond and are best friends. Jair is a fun-loving and high-achieving 9th grader at City Arts & Leadership Academy, where Arleen also attended high school. Many in the community know Jair through SF United FC, where he plays soccer on the Tango B11 team, as well as from his time with the Glens and the Friday night Crocker soccer league. Arleen works as a dental assistant and enjoys spending time outdoors, especially walking with Oso. Oso, now five years old and 100 pounds of pure love, has been part of the family since he was just two months old. The family cannot imagine being separated from him, and he has been a much-needed source of comfort during this time as well.
Please join us in supporting the Duran family as they navigate this unimaginable loss and begin to rebuild their lives.
With gratitude,
Margaret Rhee & Jennifer Clare
(Parents of Jair’s SF United FC teammates)
