01/15/2025
I spent my early twenties in West LA… the culture shock was almost comical, this sheltered OC raised girl WAS NOT prepared for the realness I’d encounter there. I must have given away half of my tips in the first months working on the 3rd Street Promenade in Santa Monica, as I’d never encountered actual homeless humans before and my heart broke for them. I came to love my gritty town not only because of the physical beauty and history, but most especially because of the diversity of cultures that make up the tapestry that is LA. Every possible ethnic, socioeconomic, and lifestyle represented, shared and celebrated in their nooks and crannies throughout the City of Angels was an opportunity to expand as a person, to learn from and grow. To shed that sheltered existence and become a better human from being in community with people who are unique and exciting, beautiful in a thousand different ways was a gift to me that I can never repay.
Join me on this trip from Arcadia & Pasadena volunteer centers near the Eaton Fire, across Downtown to a shelter on the West Side and finally to Santa Monica and the California Incline, overlooking PCH and the aftermath of the Palisades Fire as Los Angels breaks my heart in a very different way this time around.
May my clumsy but well intentioned hands and heart be given opportunities to help those who have inspired and encouraged my growth for so many years. May every victim of these fires know compassion, comfort, love and support as they face the fear and uncertainty of what comes next… And may the first responders, volunteers and infrastructure workers know they are appreciated beyond words. ❤️🩹 We are a strong people, we Californians. Let’s do our best to collectively make it through this tragedy.