Featured Initiative
L.A. Works is leading a virtual training for volunteers who want to help deploy and lead wildfire prevention and protection efforts to mitigate the risk of rapidly spreading fires. This opportunity does not relate to cleanup of any fire-damaged properties or areas where government-led cleanup is required for safety reasons but is extremely important to aid first responder efforts from afar. Join us to help lead a massive clean-up effort to protect LA!
Additional Ways To Help Right Now
The following are organizations that have specifically asked for help. Given the evolving circumstances, volunteer needs will increase. If you do not find volunteer opportunities in this list, click here for our complete listing of L.A.-based organizations that need volunteer help, many of whom support affected communities.
Food and Supplies
World Central Kitchen’s Relief Team is in Southern California to support first responders and families impacted by wildfires in the Los Angeles area. Their teams and partners have mobilized across the region to provide nourishing meals to people in need. Click here to sign up to volunteer or learn more.
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Help people get connected to food and supplies via No Res Gourmet. There are 3 Ways You Can Volunteer – Help us cook, package, and distribute meals. Donate Funds – 100% of donations go directly to fire relief and are tax-deductible. Drop-Off Supplies – Bring essential food, prep items, and care supplies to our drop-off location. Click here for more details and lists of items needed.
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Project Angel Food is seeking immediate volunteers for both delivery and in the kitchen over the next several days. Contact Volunteers@angelfood.org to get started.
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Pasadena Community Job Center is looking for volunteers - call 626-440-0112 for details and before bringing donations. You can also get updates on Instagram @daylabornetwork. All activities at 500 N. Lake Ave, Pasadena, CA.
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​Flintridge Retreat Center is asking folks to volunteer your time or to donate needed items at 236 W Mountain Ave, Pasadena, CA 91103. Contact 626-314-4256 kinginme2020@gmail.com before bringing items to their office.
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​It's Bigger Than Us is looking for volunteer to sort donations, assist with communications and to deliver supplies as part of their Fire Relief Distribution. Shifts are available at least through 1/15 to sign up for. Click here for details and to sign up.
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Better Angels is hosting 3 resource days for neighbors this week and need volunteers to fill 2 shifts. Many of our existing volunteers have been displaced and we are seeing larger guest attendance because so many people have been displaced. Visit this page to see what's available and to sign up.​​
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LA Family Housing needs help sorting, organizing and prepping donations. By ensuring that donations are sorted and ready for distribution, you’ll be providing vital support to the community during this challenging time. Learn more and sign up by clicking this link.
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Food Forward combats food insecurity and reduces food waste by donating fresh fruits and vegetables to a network of over 250 hunger relief organizations. They are working with city and county officials to get fresh produce and provide immediate relief to affected areas. You can also support their efforts through donations which help recover and distribute more food to communities in need. Visit this link for more information.
Animal Support
Remote Opportunities
Provide resources to the Pasadena Humane Society and help animals impacted by the fires. While monetary donations are their most immediate need, people who can foster for at least one week, especially large dogs should contact foster@pasadenahumane.org.
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Offer temporary foster care for dogs displaced by the fires. You can apply to temporarily house an affected dog by filling out an online form to assist the Canine Rescue Club, a network of caregivers who foster dogs awaiting their forever home.
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Best Friends Animal Society looking for volunteers to help foster animals. For more information, contact Best Friends at FosterLA@bestfriends.org or by visiting their website.
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Wetlands and Wildlife Care Center is in dire need of an oxygen concentrator and funds to buy necessary medical supplies for burn victims and husbandry for exotic animals they don't typically see. They also want people to know that if you find injured wildlife text a photo with as much information as possible to their wildlife hotline: 626- 344-1129; Monetary donations are also being accepted at this link.
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Unity of the Westside Church is collecting food, blankets/towels and associated pet supplies for displaced people’s pets or animal shelters. Volunteers are needed to drive the supplies they collect to primary collection sites. Email President@unityofthewestside.org to assist.
​​Aveson Community Organization If you'd like to volunteer to help families impacted by the fire, volunteers are needed with legal, insurance, construction and mental health expertise that could be remote. You can fill out the volunteer sign-up here.
In-Person Grassroots List
Grassroots opportunities to volunteer in-person - we are trying to share as many ways to serve as possible though opportunities in this list are not necessarily vetted by L.A. Works, so please assess before showing up.​​
Additional ways to support the housing crisis:
With so many Angelenos under evacuation orders and first responders coming in from all over the country, this is a way to open your home if you are able. Click here to learn more about how you can host through Airbnb to offer free stays to people in times of crisis.
EmergencyRV provides urgently needed shelter to first responders and victims of wildfires or other natural disasters They accept 5th wheels, motorhomes, teardrops and travel trailers/toy haulers in good working condition. Click here to learn more.
Financial Contributions
L.A. Works was founded in 1991 to harness LA’s volunteer power. Each year we mobilize tens of thousands of volunteers to address critical issues impacting our community, with the goal to unite Angelenos and inspire action for a more equitable Los Angeles. Because one of the pillars of our mission is to build the capacity of nonprofit organizations to achieve their missions through access to volunteers and other resources​, we are sharing the following list of LA organizations that are requesting financial donations. This is the link to donate to L.A. Works - we would be grateful for your support as donations will also assist us in mobilizing volunteers now and all year long.
The LA Regional Food Bank is a part of ENLA and is reaching out to their network of more than 600 partner agencies to assess their needs, and if they are in an evacuation area, if they continue to operate. The Food Bank is accepting financial donations online or you can make a check out to Los Angeles Regional Food Bank and mail to: 1734 E. 41st St.; Los Angeles, CA 90058
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The Salvation Army Southern California Division is a part of ENLA and is working to provide food, personal necessities and shelter to survivors and first responders. Monetary donations to directly aid the region can be made online. Checks can be mailed to “The Salvation Army - Disaster Relief” at P.O. Box 93002, Long Beach 90809-9355.
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The California Community Foundation distributes grants to affected communities through its Wildfire Recovery Fund. The foundation’s team utilizes data from CalFire and CDC’s Social Vulnerability Index to ensure their grants target the neediest communities with both intermediate recovery and long-term support. You can make a monetary donation online or by mailing a check to the “California Community Foundation” at 717 W. Temple St., Los Angeles 90012. Include “Wildfire Recovery Fund” in the memo.
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Pasadena Community Foundation has established the Eaton Fire Relief & Recovery Fund to support immediate needs during relief efforts as the fires to continue to spread. Our initial grants are going to fund nonprofits directly assisting those who have been displaced, either from homes or loss of employment. The Foundation will work with a trusted network of local organizations with established expertise in disaster relief, providing essential services such as temporary shelter, food, medical care, emergency childcare, and other critical needs in the greater Pasadena/Altadena area. The Foundation will also support critical services needed for long-term recovery efforts and to address ongoing community needs. So far, our fund has over 1,200 donors and the fund is at $2.2 million and growing. If you would like to support this Foundation please visit https://pasadenacf.org/donate/.
HOW TO PREPARE FOR A DISASTER
The following are best practices for planning an emergency response
*we are keeping this information live on the page on the off-chance it is helpful during these current circumstances.
1.
PREPARE AN EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLAN
When an emergency strikes, it is important to be prepared with the necessary information to take action. Most often, the first minutes after an emergency or disaster are the most crucial. A prompt warning for your employees on where to evacuate, information on shelters or lockdown zones as well as access to emergency go or stay boxes are vital to ensuring safety. Clearly marked emergency exits and routes and a clear plan on what to do in case of disaster can save lives. A call to emergency services with concise information, an employee trained in first aid and CPR, and an employee who understands the building's utilities and electrical system can make a huge difference in the event of an emergency. All of these factors and more are essential in preparing for and responding to a disaster.
To minimize damage and ensure safety, we encourage workplaces and households to create an Emergency Response Plan, which outlines the tools necessary in case of an emergency.
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2.
BUILD A DISASTER PREPAREDNESS KIT
Disaster could strike at any moment, leaving little to no time to shop or pack. Thus, it is important to be prepared. An important step in being Disaster Ready is building a Disaster Preparedness Stay Box or Go Bag.
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In some disasters, it might be safer to stay home.
You may not have water to drink, to bathe, or to flush the toilet. You may not have electricity to keep your food cold, turn on a light or charge your phone.
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Pack a Stay Box to prepare in case you cannot leave your house.
A Stay Box should include at least 3 days worth of supplies (food, water, batteries) that are usable without water or electricity. If you have young children or pets, be sure to include diapers, baby formula, and pet food. If you already own a flashlight or a portable radio, keep it somewhere easily accessible. It could also be beneficial to keep a flashdrive of any important documents.
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Download a complete list of what to include in your Stay Box:
3.
PACK A GO BAG
In some cases when disaster strikes, the safest place might not be the home. Wildfires, floods and earthquakes could leave you on the move - therefore, it is valuable to have a Go Bag. A Go Bag should include important documents, cash, maps, and medications lists as well as general supplies such as water, food, a first aid kit, toiletries, flashlight, and a portable radio.
Download a complete list of what to include in your Go Bag:
Prepare Disaster Preparedness Kits to support Los Angeles communities:
4.
GET ALERTS
Stay Informed. State-wide Alerts. No Matter Where You Are.
Alerts can help save lives and keep you, your family, and your community safe!
Receive disaster related alerts based on your county by visiting CalAlerts.
6.
DO MORE
Become a Disaster Volunteer
Interested in a becoming a VISTA?
Interested in hosting a VISTA at your organization?