The devastating wildfires that have swept through the Los Angeles metro area as we begin 2025 underscore the urgent need to support those impacted by climate disasters and reflect on our collective responsibility to address climate and environmental justice. These wildfires have left many families displaced, communities mourning, and local ecosystems severely damaged.
As we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on January 20, his words inspire our reflection and action: “Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.” In moments like these, we believe it is essential to uplift both the victims of natural disasters and the various initiatives and organizations providing relief and support services.
The Talent Citizen team has gathered resources and ways to support wildfire victims in Southern California, with the belief that recovery and resilience require collective action.
Here are several resources and ways to support communities impacted by the wildfires:
As the wildfires continue to displace and impact tens of thousands of residents, several organizations in the LA metro area are providing aid, including the Red Cross, United Way, and Emergency Network Los Angeles, offering shelter, food, financial support, and long-term recovery assistance. Local groups like the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank and Pasadena Humane Society are also seeking donations of food, supplies, and volunteer time to support affected residents and pets. Additionally, efforts from groups such as World Central Kitchen, the YMCA, and Community Organized Relief Effort (CORE) are focused on immediate relief, meals, and recovery for impacted communities, while the crowdfunding site GoFundMe has created a California Wildfire Relief Fund that will be distributed to individual fundraisers and nonprofit organizations seeking help.
The Los Angeles Public Library has compiled a comprehensive list of emergency resources and sources of information to support residents affected by the wildfires. The page includes information for real-time alerts from local agencies, links to interactive maps for evacuation zones, and federal assistance links through FEMA. Evacuees can find shelter through LA211, free meals from local restaurants, and information for renters affected by the fires. Additional sections provide health and safety tips, volunteer opportunities, and wildfire preparedness checklists to help residents navigate the crisis. Resource pages like this have been complemented by community-led resources, such as this comprehensive list of organizations and centers providing aid and relief.
The Latino Community Foundation (LCF) has announced $1 million in grants from its California Wildfire Relief Fund to support Latino workers, families, and small businesses impacted by the Los Angeles wildfires. These funds will provide immediate relief through cash assistance, health services, language access, and supply distribution, focusing on vulnerable communities such as day laborers, domestic workers, and street vendors. The first round of grants will go to organizations like AltaMed, Comunidades Indígenas en Liderazgo (CIELO), and Inclusive Action for the City, which have deep ties to affected communities. The LCF’s ongoing commitment to disaster recovery aims to ensure that Latino and immigrant communities are prioritized through equitable recovery efforts.
In addition to supporting victims’ physical and financial wellbeing, there are several resources available to support the mental health of those affected by the wildfires. The Los Angeles County ACCESS Center offers assistance via a 24/7 helpline at 1-800-854-7771, and the 988 Suicide and Crisis Hotline is available for immediate emotional support by calling or texting 988. Organizations like the Jewish Federation Los Angeles provide mental health services, meals, and shelter for displaced individuals, while Spring Health is offering free therapy through its Wildfire Mental Health Support Program. Additional resources and coping tips are available through the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health and the California Department of Public Health.
Caltech, a recent Talent Citizen client, has been deeply affected by the devastating Southern California fires, with many staff, faculty, and students displaced or losing their homes. In response to the current situation, a Disaster Relief Fund has been established to directly support the Caltech and Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) community members impacted by the crisis. All contributions to the fund will go entirely toward helping individuals rebuild and recover.
