Hi everyone our name is Luz and Jess, and we are reaching out to the community during one of the most difficult times in our life.

In just a matter of days, my partner and I have faced overwhelming challenges. Luz was wrongfully terminated from her job without notice, leaving her blindsided and unprepared. Mind you, she got let go right after the holiday season so she wasn’t even able to get a full 2 weeks pay. Shortly after, the sunset wildfires in our area forced us to evacuate. Evacuation expenses—like gas, food, and temporary shelter—drained nearly all of our funds. To make matters worse, I have also lost work and all interviews have been canceled for all new work I had lined up because of the fires, my work is based in Santa Monica, Malibu, and the Palisades and all areas have been severely impacted or still under evacuation.

When we were finally able to return home, we discovered additional hardships: no clean water, inconsistent power outages, and spoiled food. On top of that, the air quality in our area has remained dangerously poor, with Air Quality Index (AQI) levels ranging from 115 to 150 at times. We have our AC running constantly to filter the air, which will cause our utility bills to climb. We’re also struggling to afford the cost of living since neither of us currently has any income. Additionally, we need to purchase essentials to protect ourselves and our dogs from the ongoing air conditions.

We’re humbly asking for your help to recover and rebuild. The funds raised will go toward:

• Essential living expenses (food, clean water, and utilities, including our rising AC costs)

• Rent and housing stability

• Air quality essentials (filters, masks, and other supplies for us and our dogs)

• Job search costs (transportation, and other recourses)

• Replacing spoiled food and depleted emergency supplies

• Covering the cost of living while we work to rebuild and find new employment

We know these are tough times for everyone, and asking for help isn’t easy. But with no income or financial safety net, we’re overwhelmed and running out of options. Every donation, no matter the size, will help us get through this incredibly challenging time.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read our story and for any support you can provide. If you’re unable to donate, sharing this with others would mean the world to us.

With gratitude,

Luz & Jess