Help Reggie, Denise & Jo Ana Bailey Recover from the fire!
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On October 7, 2015, Reginald Wayne Bailey suffered an unimaginable loss—his father passed away, leaving an irreplaceable void in his life. Tragically, their heartache didn't stop there. Recently, the Eaton Fire devastated the community of Altadena, tearing through their family home and taking with it not only their physical belongings but also a lifetime of precious memories, including all their cherished family albums, keepsakes, and heirlooms.
Altadena's story begins with settlers tapping into water sources in the foothill canyons, and by the late 1800s, it became a thriving community focused on beauty, health, and culture. However, its growth wasn't without challenges. Segregation and restrictive covenants historically kept Black families and people of color out of many neighborhoods. But by the mid-20th century, the Civil Rights Movement opened doors for Black and Brown families to move into Altadena, bringing their culture and stories to the community. Over time, Altadena transformed into a vibrant and diverse area, marking a rich history of resilience and perseverance.
The Eaton Fire has left countless residents displaced and struggling to rebuild their lives. Many homes, passed down through generations, were lost. For Reginald and his mother, this fire not only destroyed their home but also erased their family's history and legacy—a loss that is deeply felt and hard to quantify. The fire also highlighted the inequities many Black and Brown families face when it comes to rebuilding, as systemic inequalities make access to resources even harder compared to wealthier areas.
Reginald and his mother and grandmother are now facing the daunting task of rebuilding their lives from the ashes. Losing a loved one is hard enough, but to have their family history and memories destroyed is a heartbreak beyond words. They need our help to recover and move forward.
The Bailey family includes:
Reginald Wayne Bailey
Denise Bailey (Mom)
Jo Ana Bailey (Grandma)
We are raising funds to help Reginald and his mom cover the costs of:
Basic Living Essentials – $15,000 (15%)
This covers immediate necessities like temporary housing, groceries, clothing, hygiene products, and other essentials to support Reginald and his mother as they recover.
The bulk of the funds will go toward furnishing their home and investing in fire-resistant materials and safety measures. While insurance will cover some aspects of the structural rebuild, this portion will ensure they have quality furniture, appliances, and home essentials to create a safe and comfortable space. By prioritizing fire protection upgrades, we aim to provide lasting security and peace of mind for the future.
Replacing Sentimental Items and Keepsakes – $10,000 (10%)
This will help recover lost sentimental items, including photo albums, digital recreations of lost photos, heirlooms, and other meaningful keepsakes that are part of their family’s legacy.
Therapy and Grief Support Services – $10,000 (10%)
A portion of the funds will go toward grief counseling and mental health resources to help Reginald and his mother cope with the emotional impact of losing their loved one, home, and personal history.
Every donation, big or small, will make a huge difference in helping this resilient family get back on their feet. The community of Altadena has a long history of resilience and strength—let's come together to provide hope, comfort, and support to Reginald and his mom during this difficult time.
Your generosity will help them rebuild not only their home but also their spirits. Thank you for standing with Reginald and his mother as they navigate this challenging chapter in their lives.
Altadena has also been home to many influential figures, including Jackie Robinson, the first African American to play in Major League Baseball, and Octavia Butler, a renowned science fiction writer. This rich history of cultural contributions highlights the importance of preserving the community’s legacy.
Please donate and share their story to help spread the word. Together, we can help them create new memories and bring light into their lives once again.
How You Can Help:
1. Donate whatever you can—every dollar counts.
2. Share this GoFundMe link with your friends and family.
3. Keep Reginald, his mother, and the community of Altadena in your thoughts and prayers.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your kindness and support. Let’s show Reginald and his mom that they are not alone in this journey.
Home Address: 47 W Harriet St. Altadena, CA 91001
Altadena's story begins after California became a state, when settlers tapped into water sources in the foothill canyons. Benjamin Eaton developed irrigation systems for Don Benito Wilson and Dr. John Griffin, who purchased the 14,000-acre Rancho San Pasqual in 1858. His success in growing grapes and citrus beneath the foothills proved that it could thrive at higher altitudes.
In 1873, he and others helped settlers purchase 2,400 acres of Rancho San Pasqual, founding Pasadena as a refined community focused on beauty, health, and culture. This attracted Union veterans and Civil War survivors seeking healing in the West, but the ranchers and farmers to the north weren't fucking with the idea to incorporate their land when it became a city in 1886.
The residents, many of whom grew wine grapes, rejected Pasadena's prohibition-minded ideals because at the time, LA County was the state's largest wine producer, with Altadena contributing abundant harvests.
Altadena was opened as a subdivision in late 1887 by John and Fred Woodbury from Marshalltown, lowa. They envisioned a rural millionaire's suburb north of Pasadena, hoping to attract the wealthy class that began settling in the area., but their timing was off. The real estate bubble burst in 1888, leading to an economic panic that worsened into a national depression lasting through much of the 1890s.
Eventually, another white dude named Thaddeus Lowe decided to build a mountain railway, which connected Los Angeles to Pasadena, Altadena, and beyond, offering access to the many hotels and camps in the mountains where temperance was not a concern.
From the 1890s to the 1920s, Altadena grew with ranchers, residents, and business magnates, mostly from Chicago and the Midwest, attracted by its climate and proximity to Pasadena. By the 1940s and 50s, 96% of the population was white. Economic growth after WWIl sparked a housing boom, filling the area with newly upwardly mobile families.
By the 1950s, Altadena's population peaked at 46,000 during the Cold War era.
But let's be real-it wasn't built for everyone. Segregation and restrictive covenants kept Black folks and other people of color out, locking the area into a pattern of exclusivity. Altadena was a reflection of the times: beautiful, but closed off to so many.
Then came change. By the mid-20th century, the Civil Rights Movement and the dismantling of discriminatory housing laws opened doors for Black and Brown families to move into Altadena, looking for a safe space to grow and thrive. As white residents began to leave during a period known as "white flight," many people of color seized the opportunity to settle in the area. Professionals, artists, and dreamers claimed their place, bringing their culture and stories to the community. By the '70s, Altadena had transformed into a vibrant mix of backgrounds and experiences, far from the exclusivity it once had.
This migration was driven by a combination of factors: the shifting racial and social dynamics of the time, local policies that had previously kept people of color out, and the increasing need for space as the city of Los Angeles grew more crowded. As white residents moved to the suburbs or out of state, Black and Latino families found room to settle in Altadena-a place that had once been out of reach.
A CALL FOR SUPPORT:
The Eaton Fire has devastated Altadena, displacing countless residents and leaving behind a trail of destruction. Many homes, passed down through generations, were lost, and with them, the sense of security that comes from having a paid-off home. For most people, this isn't just about property; it's about legacy, memories, and the freedom that comes with financial stability.
But rebuilding isn't easy-especially without the proper support. For many in our community, the process is even more difficult due to systemic inequalities. Black and Brown families, who have long struggled for access to resources, are now facing even greater challenges compared to wealthier, predominantly white neighborhoods
Tike Pacific Palisades.
This is where we come in. It truly takes a village to rebuild after something as traumatic as this, and we can all help. I will be reposting every donation link I see from the homies and beyond in our IG stories. I also encourage everyone reading this who was displaced and might need financial assistance to share their fundraising links in the comments.
Let's come together and support our neighbors, no matter where we are in the country. Every little bit helps.
Made By: @ByMsJames
Victory Bible Church (Reggie's Home Church)
1497 N. Hill Ave., Pasadena, CA
Volunteer Form:
Sunday Service
8:30AM: We will have a hybrid service Sunday Morning
The sanctuary will be open for prayer (only) and
Henry Hall will be open as a resource center.
10:00AM: We will have ONE SERVICE online and in-person
Fundraising team: Fundraiser Team (1)
Brittany Dacoff
Organizer
Altadena, CA
Reginald Bailey
Team member