Rebuilding Hope

Hello, my name is Elizabeth. I am the mother of two boys, ages 18 and 12, and I’ve lived in Altadena for most of my life. The recent Eaton fire took away so much more than just my apartment, which had been my home for the past 11 years—it also destroyed my son’s childhood home and the home I grew up in, where my parents and my three siblings resided.

 For the past 11 years, I’ve worked as a nurse for a nonprofit organization in Pasadena, assisting the Altadena, Pasadena, and surrounding communities. I love my job and have stayed in this field because of the deep empathy I feel for those facing mental health challenges and homelessness. The irony of dedicating my career to helping the underserved and homeless, only to now find myself facing homelessness and unstable housing, has been a heartbreaking and unimaginable experience.

 Unfortunately, I didn’t have insurance to cover the loss of my apartment, and I have no way of recovering everything I’ve built and invested in over the years.

 This GoFundMe is not just for me—it’s to support my entire family, as we are all navigating this devastating loss together. My parents, both retired, have lost their home. My sister, also a nurse serving underserved communities at Hollywood Presbyterian, is facing similar challenges. My younger brother, a first responder stationed in the Palisades, has been working tirelessly to assist other fire victims. He’s been staying in shelters and even camping in parking lots while helping others, despite losing his own home. My other sister had to pause her journey as a full-time student to work full-time to make ends meet. We’ve always been there for one another during hard times, but losing our homes simultaneously has stretched us beyond what we can manage alone.


 On top of everything, my sister and I have children, who both attended Eliot Arts Middle School. The school has been severely damaged by the fire and will not reopen, leaving the kids uncertain about where they will continue their education. Meanwhile, we’re still trying to find stable housing to begin rebuilding our lives.

 Any donation, big or small, will go toward covering needs that financial aid cannot address. If you’re unable to donate, sharing and reposting this message is a huge help as well.

 Thank you for your kindness, compassion, and support during this difficult time.
 Sincerely, Elizabeth and the Avena Family❤️❤️