A Commitment to Disaster Resilience
In the wake of the recent wildfires that devastated Los Angeles County, the immediate response was extraordinary. I witnessed community members, corporations, and funders mobilized swiftly, offering financial support, essential goods, and volunteer time. This rapid outpouring of generosity underscores Southern California’s deep sense of community. But as the news cycle moves on, recovery work is just beginning.
At St. Joseph Fund, we recognize that disaster recovery extends far beyond immediate relief. We need to be there when the camera crews are gone. When the focus shifts after the next crisis happens, community members, partners, and neighbors will still be dealing with the effects of their disaster and will be for years, maybe even generations.
Our approach to long-term disaster resiliency is multi-pronged:
- Rebuilding Homes and Livelihoods
While much of the recovery effort focuses on physical rebuilding, we must also address the economic impact. Many who lost their livelihoods, including service workers and immigrants, remain unseen in mainstream recovery efforts. These are critical folks, not just in our economy but also in our community. They have lost more than just income. They’ve lost their place in the community. Our work includes supporting organizations that directly serve these populations, ensuring they receive the necessary resources to rebuild their lives. - Preserving Communities and Addressing Land Use
Real recovery means restoring what was lost and protecting and preserving communities for the future. When we think of communities like Altadena and Palisades, it’s about protecting and preserving the communities that were there before while understanding the larger-scale land use discussions and policy implications. This means engaging in conversations around the preservation of communities who have deep cultural and historic roots to these places, sustainable rebuilding, fire-resistant development, and equitable land policies prioritizing long-term community stability. - Mental Health and Wellness
Recovery also includes the emotional and psychological toll disasters take on communities. There’s the recovery and the physical rebuild, but there’s also the concerns around wellness and the traumatizing effect that this has had in our community. Addressing mental health in disaster recovery is critical, ensuring that individuals and families have access to trauma-informed care and support systems.
Power of Partnership
Disaster recovery at this scale requires coordination across sectors. Our commitment extends beyond funding to include collaboration, alignment, and shared strategy. It is incumbent upon all of us, including funders, nonprofits, and government agencies, to work together. Even though there are many resources, they will go quickly. Coordination is key.
At SJF, we are in it for the long haul. This is not a one-time grant or a temporary intervention. We are committed to standing with affected communities long after the headlines fade, ensuring a recovery process that is sustainable, equitable, and resilient.
Over the next few months, I will share our plan to support long-term resilience efforts of the communities impacted by these devastating wildfires. To follow our commitments, sign up for our monthly email or subscribe to our newsletter on LinkedIn.
