The magnitude of the Los Angeles County fires is devastating and will have profound ripple effects across California. As a statewide health foundation with deep roots in Los Angeles, we are grieving the immediate losses in LA County communities and organizing to meet long-term needs in the city, region and across our state.
The work to rebuild begins now.
Immediate Funding
Cal Wellness has committed $1.1 million toward LA fire relief and recovery efforts, with a focus on the needs of people who often don’t have access to resources in times of crises. Our initial funding will go to trusted partners and community-led funds working to address immediate needs and organizing efforts for the recovery and rebuilding phase. They are:
- Black LA Relief & Recovery Fund
- California Community Foundation Wildfire Recovery Fund
- California Wildfire Relief Fund and the Just Recovery Partnership
- LA Unity & Solidarity Fund for Mutual Aid Fund and Equitable Recovery
Amid this tragedy, we are inspired by the indomitable spirit of our communities. We are deeply grateful to the first responders who have risked their lives to protect others and the thousands of volunteers, people from all walks of life, who are showing the generosity and resilience that define us as Californians.
This is the power of community in action, a reminder that we are strongest when we face challenges together.
Looking to the Future
We must remain vigilant. Moments like this bring out the best in us, and they bring risks of exploitation by those who spread misinformation, provoke division, or engage in predatory practices. Our collective energy must remain focused on supporting the people immediately impacted and trusted recovery efforts. As we head into a holiday and national day of service, there are numerous opportunities to donate or volunteer to assist those in need.
We also begin to see connections to other work we are committed to in the year ahead: immigration justice, access to health care and reproductive freedom, community violence prevention, and continued support to the organizing and movement building efforts in California communities to give people voice in the decisions that impact their health and wellness. We are navigating profound changes in the political environment that are already impacting this work.
At Cal Wellness, we hold firm to the belief that wellness is a shared responsibility. Recovery from the fires and advancing wellness across our state will require all of us to come together with hope, compassion, courage, and determination. Together, we can build the power to be well.
In solidarity,
Richard Tate
President & CEO
The California Wellness Foundation
