Beyond rebuilding: How funders can help communities heal and remember

Anniversaries of disasters are more than dates; they are milestones of memory, resilience and healing. As we mark one year since the LA fires, we reflect on the ongoing journey of recovery led by our grantee partners. While many continue to spotlight the lessons learned, and those still painfully unlearned, those most directly impacted mark the milestone in deeply personal and powerful ways. 

Catastrophic events leave dates etched into collective memory, but for survivors, they are lived experiences. These anniversaries can stir vulnerability, grief and even dread. Yet commemoration can also be a path to healing, closure and renewed commitment to change. 

As our grantee partners working on recovery from the January 2025 fires in the Los Angeles area reflect on the past year, I wanted to share some of their remarks with you. 

Connection is key  

Access to expertise and resources matters, but so does human connection.  

Kathryn Kiefer of CORE shared: “At the HUB, residents can access legal support, financial assistance and simply be together. They are not alone; they are the community, and the community is with them.” 

Dignity through choice 

Providing resources that allow families and nonprofits to make their own decisions is critical.  

Charisse Bremond Weaver, president and CEO of Brotherhood Crusade, explained: “The Brotherhood Crusade Wildfire Fund has been a game changer, supporting so many families with monetary assistance so they can decide their priorities after losing everything in the fires.” 

Building inclusion and belonging 

Recovery is strongest when community members participate in rebuilding their neighborhoods.  

Ishell Linares of National Day Laborer Organizing Network (NDLON) noted: “Ensuring that workers who will be rebuilding fire-impacted communities have the knowledge, tools and protections to stay safe is a core priority of NDLON’s disaster response work. Over four weeks, day laborers and volunteers removed more than 3,100 tons of debris from neighborhoods across Pasadena and Altadena—demonstrating the essential role of immigrant workers in community recovery.” 

Spaces to heal and dream 

Survivors need places to connect, remember and rediscover joy.  

Yolanda Treviño, executive director at Pasadena/Altadena Coalition of Transformative Leaders (PACTL), shared: “We’ve hosted mental wellness outings for families—trips to the Los Angeles Zoo, Aquarium of the Pacific, Descanso Gardens and nature hikes. At bilingual Community Cafes, people found each other and realized they had helped one another during the fires. Through Dream to Rebuild, families access architects, builders, financial counselors and coaches to make rebuilding possible.” 

How you can help 

These reflections remind us that recovery is not only about rebuilding structures, it’s also about rebuilding lives and relationships. Each story speaks to the power of connection, the dignity of choice, the inclusion of every voice, and the healing that comes from shared experiences. Anniversaries are not just markers of time; they are opportunities to transform remembrance into action. 

Funders play a critical role in shaping both recovery and remembrance. Here’s how you can make a difference: 

• Foster connection and belonging: Support spaces where survivors can gather, share stories and rebuild relationships. 
• Protect dignity through choice: Provide flexible funding that empowers families and nonprofits to set their own priorities in recovery. 
• Champion inclusion and equity: Invest in programs that ensure immigrant workers, day laborers and marginalized communities are part of rebuilding efforts safely and with respect. 
• Create pathways for healing and hope: Fund initiatives that offer mental wellness, cultural remembrance and opportunities for families to dream again. 
• Honor anniversaries as catalysts for resilience: Support commemorations that reflect community culture and lived experience, turning remembrance into action.  

Conclusion and call to action 

Recovery is not only about rebuilding structures, it’s about restoring dignity, strengthening connections, and creating spaces for healing and hope. One year later, the needs in wildfire-affected communities remain significant, but so does the resolve. Funders have the power to transform anniversaries into opportunities for resilience and renewal. Join us in helping communities not just recover but thrive.