My name is Xavier Venosta.
On Tuesday, December 9, 2025, at 8:00 a.m., the apartment where my father, Louis, and my sixteen-year-old sister, Sasha, lived was destroyed in the catastrophic 107th Street fire — one of the largest fires in New York City in recent history.
In the roughly 30 seconds they had to get out, and the 30 minutes they stood watching the building burn, my family lost nearly everything.
Clothing. Furniture. Books. Films. Art. Decades of writing archives, along with current notebooks containing the work my father was actively developing. Most of it can never be replaced.
More than possessions, they lost their home — the place that allowed them to live together.
My sister is currently a junior in high school. Securing a safe, stable place to live is our most urgent need as she continues school and prepares for the college application process next year.
My dad wrote cult fan favorite ‘The Last Dragon’ in this building and has been a creative fixture in the neighborhood for decades, mentoring young people who wanted to explore their creative dreams.
Due to the extent of the damage, the apartment will be uninhabitable for at least two years, if it is ever safe to return.
We are asking for help to secure temporary housing, replace essential items, and get through this immediate period of displacement while we wait for clarity about the building’s future.
My mom and dad moved into this building some 45 years ago. It's the building in which I was born, where my sister was born. Much of what was lost can never be recovered. What we can do now is stabilize and move forward with resolve.
If we exceed our goal, we will share additional funds with Louis and Sasha’s neighbors, many of whom may not have access to the same support network.
With much gratitude, thank you for taking the time to read this and being there for my family at this incredibly difficult time.
Here's a clip from local news: