Help the Hernandez Family after the Eaton Fire

Update:

Ehrica and her family are doing okay. I spoke to them recently and Ehrica expressed her gratitude for everyone in her life and for those who have found ways to help.

In the past three and a half weeks they have moved four times. While the weekly relocations are challenging and time consuming, they appreciate having clean and safe spaces for their temporary quarters. The greatest difficulties are feeding the family properly when they are housed in a hotel, and devising appropriate sleeping spaces for the various members of the family. They hope to land in a more permanent location by the beginning of March.

During this time, Ehrica and Luis have had to take time off of work to deal with logistics including appointments with FEMA, visiting donation hubs, and procuring meals. They have adequate clothing and toys for their children, and have been slowly building small wardrobes for themselves. Little Luis has returned to school, which has helped with his sense of confidence and stability immensely.

The most difficult thing during this time period has been visiting the ruins of their home and sifting through the debris and ash to recover whatever they can find.

My mom went to visit them at an Airbnb last weekend. She said that the family was awaiting housing approval for the upcoming week. She observed that amid the bags, the clothing and snacks, children’s toys, and remote work tools, little Isabella and Luis were playful and happy and the three adults seemed to be pragmatic yet clearly under pressure. They really appreciate the kindness and generosity of each person who has donated to their GFM.

Our dear friend and her family have found themselves in one of the scariest positions a California family can know: losing their home to a wildfire and finding themselves without insurance. The Hernandez family of five — dad Luis, mom Ehrica, their son who attends kindergarten, their toddler daughter, and Ehrica’s mother — fled the family home Tuesday, January 7 with few possessions as the Eaton fire approached their neighborhood. Their beloved home, which they have been painstakingly renovating by themselves for over 5 years, and which has been occupied by Ehrica’s family for three generations, burned to the ground.

Ehrica and Luis are high school sweethearts and have been in our lives since those many years ago. They have strived to build a life together, first in Pasadena and then in Altadena. They delayed starting a family in order to develop their work lives and secure the family home. Ehrica started as a Page at Pasadena Public Library and worked her way up through administrative positions to ultimately secure a Grants Coordinator position at a non-profit. Luis works in construction and automotive repair. Their two children are the lights of their lives. Their son enjoys playing outside and helping take care of his baby sister.

Ehrica and Luis are kind, wonderful and thoughtful people. I grew up with Ehrica coming over to our home to make frosted sugar cookies, painting ceramics with us and attended Ehrica and Luis's wedding with my whole family. When their son was born -- on my 17th birthday! -- my mom, myself and my sister were given the honor of having the title of auntie. The Hernandez family is extremely near and dear to me.

We know that there are many families in the same position as our beloved Ehrica and her family, and we thank you for donating to help this young family get back on track. They have lost everything but the items they evacuated with.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Blessed Be.