A Message From The CEO: The L.A. Fires and support from The Network
January 10, 2025
From The Desk of the CEO:
As we are all hearing about the devastating news coming out of Los Angeles and the tragic loss of life and countless homes and businesses, our hearts are with the entire Greater Los Angeles region, our Network colleagues in Los Angeles, their families and their communities.
Our colleagues have shared with me that so many members of their staff, Boards of Directors, volunteers and clients have been evacuated from their homes and many have since learned that their homes have been destroyed in the massive and spreading wildfires. Our hope is that the winds will become less intense and the firefighters will be able to get ahead of the spreading blazes. Until then, agencies are focused on ensuring that all have safe places to go.
We know from experience with community crises that there are stages of loss and when the immediacy of the emergency is under control, those who have been impacted will be able to slowly begin to rebuild their lives and develop personal and communal plans for moving forward. The Network is here to support our colleagues and to provide both concrete assistance which may involve assistance with developing emergency financial assistance procedures and guidance in navigating all available government resources, while also ensuring that the emotional impact of the many painful losses is acknowledged and strategies to enhance personal resilience are shared.
The Jewish Federations in Los Angeles, Ventura County and San Gabriel and Pomona Valley have worked together to establish a Wildfire Crisis Relief Fund to accept needed donations. Please help our colleagues in Los Angeles by sharing in your communities the link to make donations to this new Fund.
While the rebuilding will take many, many years, the support and prayers from our Network are immediate and ongoing.
We are with the city of Los Angeles and our Network colleagues and their teams who are based in LA: