Organizations that continue helping people affected by the fires and ICE raids gain recognition

More than a year has passed since the devastating wildfires burned thousands of properties in Altadena and the Palisades, but for residents like José Velazquez the memory still causes pain. 

Velazquez, who used to sell churros from his driveway in Altadena, witnessed the destruction in real time. 

“We saw as many community members were breaking down and crying on our corner as they watched their house go up in flames,” he recalled. “So I knew at that moment I needed to do something.”

The tragedy motivated Velazquez to help others; he created the Frontline Relief Foundation to collect and distribute donations to families affected by the fires. 

While people were still recovering from the devastation, another tragedy hit, with massive immigration raids attacking Southern California communities, including Altadena and Pasadena. 

“We serve 70% of our people who are Hispanic, most of them are undocumented,” said Velazquez. “So, when the ICE raids started happening, we did see foot traffic dying down at our location.”

Initially they didn’t know why and eventually they found out it was because people were scared of standing in line and being taken by federal immigration officers.

 “So immigration raids have been definitely impacting our communities,” Velazquez said. 

Nonetheless, during these 16 months, his foundation has distributed over $5.5 million in goods and essentials like food, diapers and air purifiers. The funding from these donations has come primarily from the Alliance for a Better Community (ABC).

Funding with no-strings attached

ABC created the Fuerza Fund, an initiative dedicated to raising and directing no-strings-attached funding to Latino-led and -serving nonprofits across Los Angeles.

On Saturday the Frontline Relief Foundation was recognized, along with Tepito Coffee and allies, by ABC. These entities have been at the forefront serving the community in moments of crises. 

Vanessa Aramayo, ABC’s president & CEO, said the Fuerza Fund operates under three pillars: response, meaning getting the resources out with no strings attached; recovery by helping organizations and the people that serve them regain their footing; and resilience by building the long-term capacity and strength that Latino-led organizations need through flexible funding that lets them help their communities.

“Recovery is not just about physically rebuilding,” said California State Senator Sasha Renée Pérez, who represents the area. “It’s about bringing the community back together, ensuring people have access to mental health resources and that we are stabilizing the region for the long term.”

The movement continues

For the owners of Tepito Coffee the fire tragedy was personal because colleagues, friends and even employees were displaced due to the fires. In response to the devastation, Tepito Coffee started donating coffee and coffee cakes to first responders, but immediately they realized the need was much bigger. 

For years they have collaborated with Homeboy Industries to create pathways to education, employment and healing for system-impacted individuals. So they continued expanding their help.

Co-owner Mike de la Rocha said they collaborated with Revolve Impact, Homeboy Industries and other organizations to provide services and resources for families through the Dena Heals Mutual Aid Wellness Center. 

“Since then, we've actually served 14,000 families, over 7,000 individuals with bilingual services, because what we do know is a lot of the material conditions need to be addressed,” de la Rocha said. “We are also the recipient of the Forest of Fund, and I will say it's been a lifeline for many of us organizations.” 

Co-owner Jose Arellano said he wants to make people feel like home because he has seen that even people who moved out of Pasadena/Altadena due to the fires continue going back to Tepito Coffee “because it gives them a sense of home.” 

“What I really learned is I think we all just want to find that place called home, and we can be that for each other, and so it's really inspiring to be able to work with all of you on the Fuerza Fund,” he said.