Restore Grandma's Home and Heart

Hi, we are Rodjenay and Ireja grandchildren of June Mcwhorter. On January 7, 2025, our family experienced an unimaginable loss—my grandmother’s home, the place where she built her life, raised her children, and welcomed generations of grandchildren, was destroyed in a catastrophic wildfire sweeping through California. This home wasn’t just four walls—it was the heart of our family, and it’s hard to express how deeply this loss has affected all of us.

My grandmother is 74 years old now, but she’s been through more in her lifetime than most could imagine. She purchased this house when she was only 25 years old—an act that took incredible strength and determination. She didn’t just buy a house; she built a future. She was determined to provide a better life for her children, escaping difficult circumstances, and creating a safe haven for them to grow up in. She came to California from Tennessee and then Detroit, Michigan, after witnessing things that made her want to start over, to give her family something different, something better.

In that home, my grandmother raised five children—four daughters and one son. As the years passed, the family grew. She now has 17 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren, and one more on the way. That home became the place where countless memories were made—birthdays, holidays, family gatherings, laughter, and love. It was a space where everyone could come together, find comfort, and feel the warmth of her heart.

But my grandmother has faced more than her fair share of hardship. She’s been through struggles that most could never imagine—enduring racial injustice, personal loss, and physical challenges. She’s lived through heartbreak and adversity, but never once did she let it break her spirit. Despite having a bad knee and battling arthritis that makes it hard for her to even walk without a cane, she kept pushing forward for the sake of her family.

Her love and strength have been a constant in all of our lives. She’s the one who always took care of others, always put her family’s needs first, even when her own health was suffering. She is the glue that has held us all together. To say that she is the heart and soul of our family would be an understatement.

Now, as we face the aftermath of this devastating fire, we are reaching out to our community, our friends, and anyone who can offer help. As my grandmother’s birthday approaches on January 18, we are hoping to give her a chance to rebuild—not just a house, but the place where her family thrives, the place that represents all the sacrifices she made for us.

The home that was lost in this fire wasn’t just a building; it was the symbol of her resilience, her sacrifices, and her love. It’s where generations of us grew up, learned, and flourished. We want to give her back that sense of security, that place of comfort, that home she fought so hard to create.

We humbly ask for your help. Any donation, no matter how small, will help us rebuild my grandmother’s home. Your support means more than we can express—it will give her the gift of a future, of being surrounded by her loved ones, and of feeling safe again.