Support Firefighting Hero Brandon Smith's Recovery

Emily Blake is organizing this fundraiser on behalf of Brandon Smith.

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Let me tell you about a firefighting hero...who lost his Altadena home in the Eaton Fire.

I had the absolute privilege of meeting Brandon Smith in 2017 while working at the LA Area Chamber of Commerce in its education, talent development, and smart justice departments. Brandon co-founded the Forestry and Fire Recruitment Program in 2015. His organization works at the intersection of workforce development, criminal justice, and climate crisis by supporting formerly incarcerated firefighters in transitioning home and finding employment in the fire and forestry industry. FFRP co-founders, Brandon Smith and Royal Ramey, were some of the successful few to make the challenging transition from Fire Camp to professional careers within the US Forest Service and CAL FIRE. It took them both 11+ months to find employment after being released from prison. Brandon and Royal understood that lack of employment opportunities are one of the leading causes for recidivism. They created FFRP to ease this pathway for others who shared their lived experiences. FFRP is proud to stay that it maintains a 10% rate of recidivism across the 200+ placed in employment, compared to the California state average of 41.9% and National average of 82%.

We are living through Los Angeles' most destructive wildfire to date. The Eaton Fire spread quickly through the Altadena neighborhood, destroying Brandon and his family's home with all their belongings.

Brandon Smith is an absolute hero. During this time when many of us feel so helpless to stop the toll of human suffering these fires are causing, I wanted to do a little something to help restore Brandon and his family.

It's 4am and the third night of team LA no sleep, so I hope this is description is coherent.

Brandon - you're truly a California treasure! Thank you for your leadership in helping people find purpose and redemption through firefighting service.

Please donate generously to this hero and his family.