Support Britt & Reina's Journey to Safety

As Ms. Fixit, the bulk of my income has been from carpentry and painting projects for the community from east to west. Altadena was where 40% of my work occurred, and every creative touch has since burned to the ground. I've loved this work because it introduced me to people of all ages, careers, personalities. The kindness of coffee and friendly conversation throughout a traumatizing pandemic. I love these people, and it has been an honor to bring their visions to life while infusing each with my own sensibilities.

Many of my clients work in the entertainment industry in one capacity or another, from boom operator to set builder to makeup artist, and had already taken a huge hit during the writers strike. This affected my handywoman work, as well as my music work, as I create big bombastic songs for trailers and promos and without new shows coming out, my job was obsolete.

This is all to say, I've been struggling to get by for awhile now. Paying rent had become a stretch each month, and despite applying for service industry jobs, retail, and administrative work, I have been unable to secure additional, steady employment. The fires are the last straw. I can not safely work outside, which is now where most of my building work would need to occur to repair the damage caused by not only the fires but the strong wind. The toxic residue caking every inch of this land is dangerous to interact with, even with protective measures in place, and it hurts to see other people still laboring away in this climate.

It's with a heavy heart that I begin the process of relocating to somewhere outside of my birthplace. I am too vulnerable to stay put and too vulnerable to leave without first asking for help. My plan is to live near my brother and sister in law while refortifying both my finances and my nervous system, obtaining steady employment in a place that won't be hazardous to my health.

This has been one of the biggest disasters in LA history, and I'm making this GoFundMe in hopes of receiving help from those near and far who trust that I will pay it forward once I'm back on more stable ground. Thank you for any contributions you have to offer during this truly devastating time.

Much love and appreciation,

Britt (and Reina)