Organizers work together to thank those who are rebuilding Altadena one year after Eaton fire

It was a beautiful Thursday morning in Pasadena with a clear sky and no wind. Outside of the Pasadena Community Job Center, the loudest sound was the live music of the Jornaleros del Norte as they made their way to construction workers in Altadena, about three miles away from the center.

The goal was to giveaway about 300 backpacks with personal protective equipment or PPE, including N95 masks, helmets, coveralls and other items to help protect them from toxins and chemicals, said Loyda Alvarado, organizer with the National Day Laborer Organizing Network (NDLON). 

“So this is a way to thank them for helping us with the cleanup and reconstruction, but also a way to remind them of their labor rights and that it is important for them to take care of themselves because oftentimes employers don’t do it,” she said.  

This act of kindness was very different from last year when Altadena was burning.

The Eaton fire that started on Jan. 7, 2025 at night turned Altadena and Pasadena into chaos by morning. The Pasadena Community Job Center became a hub for the affected communities, where they started giving food and clothes that people donated as well as resources.

The phrase “Solo el pueblo salva al pueblo” (only the people save the people) became their motto and they still live by it to continue their work. 

Helping those who help

As usual, Los Jornaleros del Norte played their vibrant music in their open-bed truck all the way to the epicenter. People along the route couldn’t help but record, clap in excitement or dance to the sound of cumbias. 

The group selected random locations to stop and play music, provide the PPE bags and give away tamales and atole with the help of volunteers. 

One of the volunteers was Rodrigo Jaime, who arrived with his classmates from Loyola High School. He said they decided to volunteer in the Altadena recovery as part of their senior service project. 

“It’s really fulfilling because I’m actually from Altadena. I’m really happy that we are helping my community,” Jaime said, adding that he and his family were affected directly. “We are still trying to move back to the house because it was burnt down, but it has been really hard.”

Some workers would stop their work to walk to the street and get their backpack and tamales. Others would go back to work right away and a few would stay a little longer to enjoy the music.

“It is very nice what they are doing,” said one worker as he was passing by with his tamales.

“We weren’t expecting this at all,” said another. 

Those who were hesitant to leave their work were met by Jaime and the other volunteers, who took the bags and food to them. 

Jose Madera, director of the Pasadena Community Job Center, said it was great to see the number of Latino faces working on the recovery of Altadena. 

“We are here saying 'thank you' to the workers for their labor and their love uplifting Altadena,” he said.