Shannon's Home: A Haven in Crisis

Not all loses of the Eaton Canyon fire are so straight forward. Many whole families lost their homes because they burned down, and of course their losses are so incredibly terrible and valid, but my best friend and SIL is facing a different reality. Her family home, the home she has lived in for 41 years, the home that I, my husband, and countless others have called home was in the path of the Eaton Canyon fire. Although it is still standing, she might still lose it. In order to make the house habitable again it is gonna cost a lot.

The purpose of this fundraiser is to cover the many things that insurance, FEMA, and other sources won't cover. If she can’t make the house habitable she will have to sell. In such a horrific time for affordable and stable housing, now made so much worse by this fire that ripped apart the foothill communities, this would just be another gut-punch while we are all still on the floor.

This home is not only her home, and once my mine. It is where I ran the catering company with her. Waking up in the mornings and walking to the kitchen to begin work. Memories that I cherish dearly. I am not the only one though. It was also home to the people who her family helped throughout the years, from all walks of life. The Clapham's house is known to those that have passed through those doors to be a place for love, compassion, and a place where they can find their footing again. Shannon has faithfully continued to make it a safe haven for those that can't afford to live elsewhere. When people are down on there luck, she offers them a room to make sure shelter is had.

Outside of the loss to those who call it home, the structure itself is a beautiful example of a custom 1920's century house, with priceless examples of historical craftsmanship, detailed carvings adorning the arches, metal work on the sconces and staircase, and beautiful tilework just in the front door. If the home would have to be sold, there is a high probability that this beautiful home would be torn down, and all that history would be lost.

Losing this home won’t just displace her but also 8 other people, 5 cats (kikis, if you will), 4 dogs and a snake. Please donate what you can to make sure they all can have a home to go back to.

Thank you!

A little about me: I am Susi Torres, originally from Puebla, Mexico, but lived in L.A. Since 18 y/o, and lived in this house from 2016 to 2020. Now living in Portland Oregon, but always with a piece of my heart in Altadena.