Girls, inc., in Carpinteria, offering free babysitting to overwhelmed parents who have temporarily relocated North of the fires. https://girlsinc-carp.org/
My friend Kathie Adams is just chock full of examples of what people she knows in her part of LA are doing in terms of mutual aid: sharing huge containers of "airplane snacks" making and distributing masks, sheltering animals, ... I think you may know her through the "Aunties" group.
mutual aid LA has been great about updating and compiling resources for those impacted by the fires as well as those interested in volunteering. have also seen several professional photographer friends offer to take family portraits for families who lost photos.
Not in LA, but Trader Vic's in Emeryville announced plans to collect new items to help LA fire victims and there was a mile-long line of cars down Powell Street in Sunday...
This was organized by a few people on tiktok and it grew and became a massive volunteer effort supported by and benefiting thousands of people. No government organization involved, all grassroots. https://abc7.com/videoClip/15790819/
You don’t seem to realize that these thousands of people have nothing, absolutely nothing. They need clothing, shoes, everything desperately. It’s sad that you look at this through that perspective
There's actually a problem with people dumping/getting rid of stuff they don't want in the guise of donations. In the piles for the 2017 fire victims in Sonoma County I saw stuff like eighties prom dresses. Yes people need clothes. No, they don't need weird old stuff.
That is true which is why there are volunteers sorting through everything. This selfish dumping is not unique and happens at every thrift shop near me. People will be crappy. But that is different than saying clothing donation is not useful.
All the work being done by the LA mask bloc. The mayor had suggested a mask ban prior to this fire as part of her covid denialism. But mask blocs came to supply people and offer HEPA filters.
City started directing people to go to the mask bloc for masks since she city didn’t have them .
Some fire stations turning away donations and sending generous people to stations that are getting fewer donations. And word of this spreading on social media.
I am gathering books and distributing them to teachers and readers who lost their libraries to the fire. So far, we have over 500 books with roughly 600 more on the way in the next week thanks to our amazing donors.
could maybe elaborate more on DM but suffice to say, i'm extremely moved by how much a group of women brought together first by their need for community in new motherhood are now showing up in ways big and small for those same people.
If that’s the case, you should reach out to other existing mutual aid groups too. Clean Water & MaskBloc have been mentioned. There are also location-based groups, like the ones listed & linked on this form. https://bsky.app/profile/lastreetcare.bsky.social/post/3lflce6d5bk2e
My IG story feed is full all day of: local business owners putting aside day to day operations to collect and distribute goods like clothing, food and hygiene supplies; people who have administrative skills/expertise sharing tips on navigating the system; themed lists where to get and how to get aid
I’ve helped raise $20,000+ for #LA fire victims for a non-profit that delivers clean energy disaster relief solutions, along with other critical need aid.
I don’t have family in #LA — just helping how I can in unprecedented times.
I have been thinking to ask “how would nature address the climate and land use crisis in LA” through the lens of the evolutionary frameworks in my new book. Adaptive, self organizing, mutual aid in community. It’s free, too. https://www.skool.com/your-teeming-transformation-8140
Here’s what I’m wondering: Many people in the Palisades have gardeners, nannies, housekeepers, private chefs, etc. I know there must be an effort to help all of these suddenly unemployed people so it would be great to be able to get the word out. Anyone know?
Comments
Have never loved my hometown more.
https://bsky.app/profile/gilduran.com/post/3lfl6hfnt2224
City started directing people to go to the mask bloc for masks since she city didn’t have them .
Pasadena Humane Society
Altadena Seed Library
I am gathering books and distributing them to teachers and readers who lost their libraries to the fire. So far, we have over 500 books with roughly 600 more on the way in the next week thanks to our amazing donors.
https://tinyurl.com/LAFireBookDonationForm
https://www.waterdropla.org/
I don’t have family in #LA — just helping how I can in unprecedented times.
Praying for all dealing with loss right now 🙏
Mutual Aid LA https://mutualaidla.org/
Altadena Girls https://www.instagram.com/p/DEzFRdvJp5e/?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
here.