SoCal Firestorm 2025 Help Hub: Info to How You Can Help or Access Vital Resources.
In the face of the devastating 2025 Los Angeles wildfires, I’ve witnessed our community’s incredible strength as we rally to support those affected and the brave individuals on the front lines. Whether you’re looking to volunteer, donate, or access vital resources, this blog serves as a one-stop hub for actionable information that you can easily reference and share with others.
The wildfires have displaced thousands of families, destroyed homes, and left many in urgent need of basic necessities. Six friends in my circle have lost everything. My partner and I, living safely in Mid City Los Angeles, hosted evacuees who have now returned home. As others begin to come to terms with their new realities, even more stories of loss and resilience will emerge. Until then, I’ve channeled my efforts into creating this resource hub, with the hope that it offers relief to those directly impacted and empowers those who want to contribute through donations or volunteer work as the recovery process begins.

Rebuilding Recomendations
Soul Builders Inc.
If you’re looking for a builder who brings integrity, craftsmanship, and genuine care to every project, look no further than Soul Builders Inc.
Led by Einav (pronounced “oo-va”), Soul Builders lives up to its name in every way. Of all the contractors I’ve worked with in my lifetime, Einav stands out as the most skilled, reliable, and thoughtful. He transformed my garage into a stunning, functional space with an attention to detail and a dedication that’s truly rare.
When you work with Soul Builders, you’re not just getting a contractor—you’re getting a partner who deeply values the work and the people behind it. You’ll be in the best hands.
CLICK HERE to reach out directly.
Volunteer & Donation Opportunities
American Red Cross – LA Region
Roles: Shelter assistance, logistics, and mental health support.
LA Fire Department Foundation
Roles: Deliver supplies to fire stations, help organize donations.
Operation Gratitude – First Responder Care Kits
Roles: Assemble care packages for firefighters and emergency crews.
Local Food Banks and Shelters
Roles: Serve meals, sort donations, or host a food drive.
Artcenter Fire Fund
My friend Karen Hofmann is the president of ArtCenter in Pasadena CA. They've had many students and faculty impacted. Your donations will be distributed directly to those in need. > Artcenter.edu/firefund
How to Donate
California Community Foundation Wildfire Relief Fund: Provides immediate and long-term assistance to wildfire victims. > CLICK HERE
Direct Relief: Supplies medical aid to affected areas. > CLICK HERE
GoFundMe Wildfire Campaigns: I'll update this list as I receive them from only those so all can be confident these are not scams.
Kirsten & Linda 'GO-FUND ME' to help rebuild after losing everything > CLICK HERE
I've Known these two and their daughter for many years. Got to know Kirsten when she was the Executive Director of Outfest when I was on the board. She is now CEO the non profit organization Women In Film.
Resources for Affected Individuals
Evacuation Centers and Shelters
Find the nearest evacuation centers through the > CalFire Shelter Map.
Housing Assistance
FEMA Disaster Assistance > FEMA Website
Airbnb Open Homes Program: Offers free temporary housing for displaced individuals.
211 LA is partnering with Airbnb to offer free temporary shelter for people displaced from their homes by fire. Start by filling out this form > HERE
Mental Health Support
Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741.
LA County Mental Health Services: Call 1-800-854-7771 for 24/7 assistance.
Teladoc Health is offering free, 24/7 virtual medical care to Southern California residents, first responders and others impacted by the raging fires burning in Los Angeles. Individuals displaced by fires or those who are unable to access traditional medical care can consult licensed healthcare professionals for non-emergency illnesses by calling 855-225-5032.
Services include treatment for conditions such as respiratory infections, allergies, sinus problems, cold or flu symptoms, assistance with prescription refills for non-narcotic medications. https://www.teladochealth.com/info/disaster-hotline
Pet and Animal Care
ASPCA: Emergency animal shelters and rescue. CLICK HERE
LA Animal Services: Temporary shelter for pets of displaced families. CLICK HERE
Loti Provides Free Insurance Resources
For wildfire victims navigating complex insurance claims, Loti is a valuable resource. Founded by a survivor of the 2019 Kincade Fire, Loti has created a free library of recovery tools. It includes articles, templates, and checklists to help with evacuation planning, insurance documentation, and rebuilding. Their most popular article offers tips on managing phone calls with insurance companies. Visit Loti's Learning Hub to access these free resources.
DriveSavers Offers Free Data Recovery Services > CLICK HERE
Northern California-based DriveSavers is stepping up to help Southern California wildfire victims by offering $1 million in free data recovery services. The company specializes in recovering documents, photos, and more from fire- and water-damaged devices, including hard drives, storage cards, and mobile phones. However, recovery may be impossible for devices with melted components. DriveSavers provides a free shipping label for affected devices. The offer is available until January 31 or until the $1 million limit is reached.
Mutual Aid LA Network resource list of orgs and companies offering shelter, animal boarding, free food or items to evacuees, etc. ROBUST GOOGLE DOC HERE
Full List of ONE CLICK Support Organizations
YMCA: https://www.ymcala.org/community-response
Sierra Madre YMCA is a lesser known relief center and there is currently NO line, and a lot of supplies! There is clothing of all sizes, water, blankets, food, shoes, pet food, baby supplies, toiletries, detergent… and more!
Helpful Articles with Great Information:
Small Businesses Resources
SBA Disaster Assistance Loans: The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) provides low-interest loans to businesses and nonprofits affected by natural disasters.
Apply online: https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance.
Contact the SBA Customer Service Center: 1-800-659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.
California IBank Disaster Relief Loan Guarantee Program: Offers loan guarantees of up to 95% for small businesses unable to access traditional financing. https://www.ibank.ca.gov/small-business/disaster-relief/.
California Rebuilding Fund: Supports small businesses recovering from disasters with flexible, affordable loans. https://www.connect2capital.com/p/californiarebuildingfund/
Small Business Legal Assistance: Local Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) and organizations like California Lawyers for the Arts offer free legal advice for wildfire-related business issues. Find an SBDC near you: https://americassbdc.org
FEMA Small Business Resources: Guides for rebuilding and adapting your business post-disaster. Visit: https://www.fema.gov/assistance/individual/small-business.
California Small Business Resources for Disaster Recovery: Information on grants, loans, and recovery strategies tailored for California small businesses. Visit: https://business.ca.gov/
SCORE Wildfire Recovery Mentorship: Free, expert mentoring for businesses navigating disaster recovery. Visit https://www.score.org
Google’s Crisis Response for Small Businesses: Temporary advertising credits, tools, and resources to help businesses maintain online visibility. Visit https://www.google.com/crisisresponse.
Shopify Disaster Assistance Program: Provides financial relief and tools for e-commerce businesses affected by natural disasters. Learn more: https://www.shopify.com/.
How You Can Stay Informed
For live updates and safety tips:
LA County Fire Department Twitter: @LACoFDPIO
CalFire Incident Reports: CalFire Updates
Friend Posts with Great Info
Tips from a friend of what she wished she knew after the Woolsey fire HERE
I’ll be updating this hub with additional links and resources as I discover them.
My intention is to transform this moment of crisis into an opportunity for connection and resilience. By sharing resources, volunteering, or simply spreading the word, we can all play a vital role in helping Los Angeles recover and rebuild.
Together, we can create hope and deliver impact when it’s needed most.
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