Aunt Sylvia's Dream: Rebuilding her Life in Altadena

I am writing this for my beautiful aunt, Sylvia Griggs Campbell, our family's 93-year-old matriarch and sage; I call her "my angel on Earth." I am Diane Griggs Ross. My aunt is one of many African Americans who lost their homes in the Eaton fire. Aunt Sylvia had her first home in the Pasadena/Altadena area in 1960 and, in the early '70s, moved into her dream home on E. Taos Road in the hills. There, she cultivated a community, neighbors, and families who looked after each other and cared for each other. During COVID, the neighbors would go grocery shopping, run errands for her, and check on her often. In this community, all looked after each other's homes. Living far from her, I never worried, knowing she had a loving community and family to support her. One of these dear neighbors informed my aunt her home was no longer.

Throughout the years, my grandparents Ulysses and El Rae Griggs lived in this home, which looks over all of Los Angeles and, on a clear day, Catalina. They were the first custodians, as my aunt moved to Sacramento for employment and to raise my cousin Sharon as a single mother. When my grandparents made their transitions, my father, "Uly," became the next loving caretaker of the home until my aunt returned. My aunt loves nature, and many 4-legged visitors brought her joy: a very friendly bear, deer, rabbits, and some crawly critters. The unique architecture of her home gave my aunt a panoramic view of the city no matter where she was in the house.

The items inside the home represented our family's legacy of generations. Anyone who knows my aunt knows she is a woman of faith, joy, grit, and determination. Her joy is consistent and contagious. I hope to one day be able to do the same. My aunt is determined to rebuild her life in Altadena. She has her wit, is physically strong, and can envision viewing the beautiful landscape again.

With this intent, I would like to ask for financial support to begin the rebuilding process. My joy comes from hearing the stories of our community members who share a collective sadness yet are empowered to overcome, love each other, and rebuild.