CWS After the LA Fires

After the January 2025 Los Angeles wildfires, Church World Service helped displaced families access emergency supplies, temporary accommodation and information about available assistance. [1]

I joined CWS and took part in the relief effort. For me, an important question is what happens after a family reaches safety: who helps them work out what to do next?

CWS's emergency team worked with local offices to assemble and distribute more than 200 fire- and waterproof evacuation bags for newcomer families. The organization also directed additional staff time and resources toward temporary housing needs. For immigrants navigating the response, it provided information in their preferred languages and connections to community resources. [1]

CWS helped establish the Wildfire Resource Hub, a six-day effort involving multiple relief organizations. It brought food, supplies, financial assistance, counseling and housing support into one place. CWS contributed bags containing resources and information, translated preparedness materials, and helped coordinate the response. [2]

In its February 4 account, CWS described a single registration system being introduced at the Hub with a unique identifier for each family. The intention was to reduce repeated requests for the same information and the distress of having to recount losses to different providers. [2]

At the invitation of CWS and California VOAD, a local Children's Disaster Services team served at the Pasadena Hub for a week. Childcare could give parents time to speak with service providers and consider their options while their children were being cared for nearby. [3]

The Hub's services included referrals for longer-term recovery and connections with local providers. CWS also coordinated with disaster-response networks, including the Los Angeles County Long Term Recovery Group. [1] [2]