LA Fires: Help Erica Fishman and Altadena Neighbors

UPDATE: Hello everyone – we promised updates and here they are!

In addition to our Sundance Film producer Erica Fishman, we are adding her sweet neighbor Helen Lidell (one of the older Black families in Altadena). Helen and her epileptic grandson also lost their home; as well as hilarious comedian Mateen Stewart. His family was displaced by the Eaton fires. We are also tracking needs in a few senior centers that burned down and may use further funds to purchase items as their needs arise. Our Sundance film Didn’t Die prioritizes community – so this GoFundMe is built with that spirit in mind. “Spread the love” Erica said. We know you will.

Here are the current profiles of beneficiaries who have already received funds thanks to your generosity:

Erica Fishman: A tireless independent film producer who has unequivocally championed stories for women and people of color – Erica Fishman is a beloved producer, wife, mom, and friend. Having produced Didn’t Die, a Sundance Official Selection, as well as produced for Paul Feig’s PowderKeg incubating stories that Hollywood may have missed – no one works harder to bring a vision to life with a bigger smile, and better attitude than Erica “Fish” Fishman. Her entire family was involved in the making of Didn’t Die; from her husband editing, to her producing, to her child who even made a cameo. Please consider helping; to lose a home two weeks before what should be the celebration of a Sundance Film is a tragic shock.

How we know Erica:

Kiran Deol on the organizing team is the star of the Sundance 2025 movie, Didn't Die. Erica Fishman produced the film. Iram has wire-transferred $25,000 of the collected funds to Erica, also a direct organizer of this fundraiser. Here is a deadline article featuring Erica's story and mentions Kiran as well (https://deadline.com/2025/01/sundance-2025-filmmakers-lost-homes-los-angeles-wildfires-1236263684/)

Mateen Stewart: A hilarious comedian who co-hosts the “Scumbags of History” podcast, his edutainment show “Comic Race Theory” has been performed across the country. Mateen, his partner, a 3 year old daughter, and 2 dogs were displaced during the Eaton Fire. Their home miraculously survived, but remains in an evacuation zone with no real time table for their return. There is no water, power, or gas in their neighborhood. Funds go to temporary lodging, groceries, and child care expenses that FEMA does not traditionally cover to provide a stopgap between the mandatory evacuation, and when the area is cleared for residents like Mateen to return to the community.

How we know Mateen:

Organizer Kiran and Mateen know each other through the stand-up comic circle. Mateen was zelled $2000 from the funds raised.

Proposed use of funds:

Mateen’s family had to be evacuated from their home on 1/7/2025 about 6:45 am. Their family includes Me (Dad), Erica(Mom), Jayme (Daughter, 3) and Deb (Grammy). They also have a 4 year old dog Cleo and a 15 year old dog named Cosby. Their home didn’t burn down but had smoke damage and currently, they have no power, gas or water so are unable to return. As a result, they have had to find room and board.

Their needs are:

Lodging-$2500

Food-$750

Hotel Parking-$250

Helen Lidell: A grandmother in her 60s, who lives with her epileptic grandson Corey Campbell, Helen Lidell is Erica Fishman’s neighbor who lost their generational home and a car in the fire. A lovely lady with an enormous spirit, Helen and Corey unfortunately did not leave until the fire was very close to the house; as a result Corey had an epileptic episode and is now just out of the hospital. Stop gap funding now will give Helen the much needed time and resources to make sure that she is able to navigate the challenging and often confusing road of dealing with insurance.

How we know Helen:

Helen is organizer Erica's neighbor and Erica knows her personally. Erica proposed adding her to the fundraiser. We have since been corresponding with Helen and are getting to know her better. Iram has been wire-transferring the balance of all the current funds after the initial $27000 that went to Erica and Mateen, to Helen.

Proposed use of funds:

Helen and her epileptic adult grandson had to be evacuated from their home on 1/7/2025 in the middle of the night with no warning and only left with the shoes on their back and their pajamas. Their home completely burnt down with all of their possessions. As a result, they have had to find room and board and have been split up for the first time in many years.

Their estimated immediate needs are:

Food- $1000

Lodging - $2500

Clothing, shoes, and work clothing $800

E-bike for grandson who cannot drive and needs transportation to work- $3000

Personal care and needed items $5000

Keeping up with bills $5000

Transportation and car repairs $3000

We know a lot of folks are hurting right now, and thank you so much for your incredible generosity and contributions.

How the organizers know each other:

This fundraiser is being organized by Kiran Deol and Iram Parveen Bilal who have known each other in the film-making circle for more than a decade. Kiran personally knows Erica Fishman as they worked on the Sundance movie together.

We are heartbroken to witness the devastation and wanted to help as many as possible as the story developed, which is why we kept this fundraiser more open to beneficiaries rather than a single beneficiary.