One of my dearest friends, Ranti, and her family were out of town when the Eaton fire tore through Altadena. Their home and belongings were destroyed, and they didn’t have a chance to save anything—just the clothes they had with them.

This has been a heartbreaking time for them and they’re now facing the tough task of starting over, something particularly unexpected for their mother Abisola who recently retired as an LA County + USC nurse. We’re raising funds to help them get back on their feet and begin restoring their lives. These donations will go toward things that other support might not fully cover and will make such a big difference in giving them some stability during this incredibly difficult time.

Anything you can contribute—whether it’s $10 or $100—means so much and will go a long way toward helping them recover. Your generosity and support mean the world, and I know they are so grateful for every bit of help.

Thank you for standing with the Odujinrin family as they take steps toward healing. Your kindness truly makes all the difference.

With gratitude and hope,

Abisola, Kolapo, Ranti, Morayo, Monique

(UPDATE from the Odujinrin family on what funds will go towards)

Replacing essential documents: We need to recreate items like the trust for our house and other critical records lost in the fire.

Safety equipment and cleanup: We’ll purchase protective gear to safely assess what remains of our home and hire professionals to search for small objects that may have survived the fire.

Transportation: Our family lost a vehicle. While we work toward getting a new car, some of the funds will help us stay mobile through practical options like a bike and public transportation.

Legal representation: This will help preserve the integrity of our family’s property and protect our block from predatory developers.

Community support: While we’re still determining the best way to give back, we’re committed to using a portion of these funds to uplift our neighborhood as we undergo the restoration process. Some initiatives may include legal resources, restoring community libraries, and providing shared tools and supplies to help neighbors with their own recovery efforts.