Resilience and Hope will rise in Altadena

Recently, our family was faced with an unimaginable loss when devastation swept through our beloved communities of Altadena and Pasadena. In the blink of an eye, entire neighborhoods were reduced to ash, including the homes of our children's grandmother and uncle. The heartbreak of seeing everything we knew disappear has been overwhelming.

Though our home remains standing, it’s surrounded by the remnants of the destruction. Unfortunately, while our house didn’t burn, it is no longer safe or livable. It stands as a silent witness to the devastation, a reminder of all we’ve lost.

We’ve called Altadena home for over 35 years. This community has been the backdrop to so many of our most cherished memories — from starting our careers as educators in Pasadena to watching our children grow up in the same streets we once walked. The ties we have to this place run deep, and the thought of not being able to return to the home and community that has held so many moments of joy is incredibly painful.

As we try to navigate this uncertain time, we carry with us not just the weight of our personal loss, but also the collective grief of a community forever changed. It’s hard to put into words the feeling of losing so much, yet still being here, holding on to hope that one day we’ll be able to reestablish — our lives and our community.