Support Ryan and Clara

Support Ryan and Clara

I am reaching out on behalf of our dear friends Ryan and Clara who have been greatly affected by the Eaton fire.

Ryan and Clara moved to their home in Altadena in August 2024, putting every dollar they ever saved into the dream of home ownership in this historic, diverse community.

After purchasing the home last year, they spent 9 months restoring their fixer-upper, updating the systems, eliminating mold, and planning the lives they’d live there together.

Clara herself oversaw the work each day because there wasn’t enough money left after the down payment to hire a GC.

They fell in love with their neighbors, some of whom showed up daily to guide them through the renovations.

It was complicated, full of setbacks, and all worth it the day they finally moved in.

On the evening of January 7th, Ryan and Clara's home was in the heart of the destruction of Altadena.

They left with only some clothes, their dog, and 2 cats, while the fire engulfed the neighborhood, leveling the beautiful, vibrant community that had drawn them there. Of the 28 homes on Highview Ave, over 20 were completely erased that evening. Ryan and Clara's home was left standing but is fire-ravaged and uninhabitable.

On Jan 8th, they were heartbroken to learn that looters had ransacked the remains, stealing valuables and financial information.

The road ahead will be challenging, Ryan and Clara need to find alternative housing in LA at a time when thousands of other Angelenos are in the same predicament, as well as oversee the clean-up and eventual rebuild of their home.

What this GoFundMe Will be Used to Cover

These funds will go directly to the family to cover immediate needs not covered by FEMA or insurance.

The road to recovery will be long, expensive, and slow, as the scale of this tragedy across Los Angeles has created an unprecedented situation for insurance and disaster relief groups.

Nonetheless, Ryan and Clara are committed to lending support to their community, especially their elderly and displaced neighbors.

About Ryan and Clara's Home

For fans of architecture, Ryan and Clara's fixer-upper was a Park Planned Home: one of 28 midcentury homes designed by the Los Angeles architect Gregory Ain. The development was one of the first affordable housing tracts in the Los Angeles area with no race or religious restrictions. Ain was vilified for his efforts and was considered "the most dangerous architect in America" by J. Edgar Hoover.

In the long term, Ryan and Clara hope to preserve the legacy of this community and save this piece of architecture to help celebrate this radical architect. In the short term, they are deeply appreciative of any immediate support, especially when the need is so overwhelming for so many.

With Gratitude,

Mark Goldman

Los Angeles, CA

January 2025