John Muir High School

Class of 1972

Helping our Family and Friends

Clearing the Property

Excerpts from LA County Fire Relief page... As a resident affected by the wildfires, you have two choices for managing debris removal on your property.Option 1: Opt-In to the Government-Run Debris Removal ProgramHow to Opt-In:Step 1: Complete and submit the Right of Entry (ROE) form and authorize the government to manage debris removal on your property.ROE Form Availability:Closure Date: March 31, 2025Where to Get It:Complete the opt-in form online: https://forms.office.com/g/Nm7XcLZJwqDownload and complete a form: https://file.lacounty.gov/SDSInter/lac/1176418_Opt-InForm.pdfIn Person: Right of Entry forms are available at Disaster Recovery Centers.What Opting In Entails: By opting in, you authorize the government to perform various activities includingPotential Foundation Removal:Your Choice: When you opt into the debris removal program, you will need to decide whether you want the government to remove your property’s foundation or leave it in place.Property Assessment: A site visit will be conducted to evaluate your foundation and discuss the best option for your property with you before any debris removal begins.

Recover & Rebuild

ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) Info

Prefab possibilities

DYI Debris Removal - Apply for a Permit from the County in EPIC-LA to handle debris removal on your own after you receive EPA certification of phase 1 completion for your property. https://epicla.lacounty.gov/energov_prod/SelfService/#/home Costs: You will be responsible for any costs of the removal that exceed your insurance settlement amount for debris removal Spanish Opt In and Opt Out Forms Descargar Formulario de Derecho de Entrada en recovery.lacounty.gov Obtar por no Recibir Servicios

Insurance FAQs

Personal Property (Contents) Coverage: An advance payment of at least 30% of the policy limit for the dwelling's structure, up to $250,000, without requiring an itemized inventory.
Additional Living Expenses (ALE): An advance payment covering no less than four months of living expenses to assist with temporary housing and related costs.
Bulletin to Insurers and Adjusters-Property Owners Rights

Be Sure to Confirm credentials of attorneys/ professionals

Volunteer/ Donate

Help organize and distribute essential supplies to area families impacted by the Eaton Fire at the Carrow’s Distribution Center.

LAtest News

Ellen Petherbridge sent an article that may be helpful to home owners looking for options--Historic Home Relocation project....check it out!
🏡 Mortgage & Housing Relief• CalAssist Mortgage Relief Fund (Starting June 12, 2025) – Provides up to $20,000 or 3 months of mortgage payments for homeowners whose homes were damaged or destroyed in the Eaton Fire.https://www.calassistmortgagefund.org• LAist Explainer – How to apply and who qualifies.https://laist.com/news/housing-homelessness/california-calassist-mortgage-fund-fire-eaton-palisades-disaster-relief-how-to-apply• California Mortgage Relief Program – Program closed to new applicants but still offers free legal aid and HUD-certified housing counseling.https://camortgagerelief.org
🛠 FEMA & SBA Disaster Loans• FEMA Assistance – While individual assistance has closed, FEMA may still offer limited aid for minor cleanup and unmet needs.https://www.disasterassistance.gov• SBA Loans – Still Available! – EIDL loans up to $2 million for lost revenue (Deadline: October 8, 2025). Physical damage loans available via in-person outreach centers.https://disasterloanassistance.sba.gov/
Protections are effective through July 31, 2025 and apply countywide including all 88 cities and unincorporated areas.
Eligible tenants can use the sample notification form to give notice to their landlord that they are experiencing financial hardship due to the wildfires. Giving notice to landlords is required to secure eviction protections for workers impacted by the wildfires.
US Army Corps of Engineers started Phase 2 Personal Property Debris Removal Residents can visit the Phase 2 Debris Removal: What to Expect page for the new interactive visual and the latest announcements from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers such as the video below where Col. Swenson discusses the qualifications to remove trees as part of the debris removal process.
Altadena Post Office (2271 Lake Ave.) – effective Jan. 9, mail pickup location at Pasadena Post Office (600 Lincoln Ave.)

Altadena NEws: Past and Present

Kevin Williams PBS SoCal Video
Links posted on this website are for easy reference and informational purposes only. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy of any information, products, or services mentioned.
A new collaboration between The Foothill Catalog Foundation and San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity is helping residential property owners rebuild. The initiative is offering a curated collection of pre-approved home designs and home construction for qualifying survivors, through Habitat for Humanity. The designs are pre-approved through an innovative “standard plan program” adopted by Los Angeles County for the Altadena One Stop Permitting Center. This allows for a simplified path through permitting.

Fire Relief Links

Financial Resources
💵 Financial Support & Community Funds• PCF Fire Relief Fund – Pasadena Community Foundation raised $72 million to support recovery.https://pasadenacf.org• Altadena Fire Relief Fund – Town Council + GoFundMe providing direct grants to residents.https://www.gofundme.com/f/altadena-eaton-fire-relief• NAACP Forward Platform – Bridge grants for Black homeowners and businesses.https://forwardplatform.com• Greenline Foundation – Housing support for Black and Hispanic families.https://www.greenlinefoundation.org
Got a FEMA denial letter? - Appeal
We have come together as a Class to collect donations for gift cards to support our classmates impacted by the fires. So far, thanks to our classmates generous donations, we have gifted over $1,500 to our classmates affected by the fires!

Reach out to Friends

Kathy Matthews Woods: kwoods6969@yahoo.com LuEllen Crist Benjamins: luellen.benjamins@gmail.com Karen Glasgow: karenskreations@yahoo.com Batya Bell de Berenfus: Jb@jbbizwiz.com Leslie Nishimi: lesnish@msn.com Frank Vernon: flvernon@mac.com Mark Rich: mgrich@gmail.com Donations for Class of 1972: Zelle kathywoods@johnmuirclassof1972.com
Mental Health Help Line – 24/7 multilingual LA County hotline enables disaster victims to receive screening, assessment, referrals and crisis counseling over the telephone.
Call (800) 854-7771 or text “LA” to 741741 to find immediate help or access local mental health services. Para cualquier pregunta relacionada con el manejo del estrés y problemas de salud mental, comuníquese con nuestro departamento de salud mental al numero (800) 854-7771
Trauma Resources: NAMI: Connect With Hope Warmline at (818) 208-1801 10 a.m.–8 p.m.Monday-Friday. Or email the Connect With Hope Warmline at hope@namiglac.org.

Business Recovery Resources and Funding Solutions

LA County Dept. of Economic Development Business to Business Bulletin
More information below

Frank Vernon's Article on Recovery

In 2003, Frank Vernon lost his home in the Scripps Ranch community of San Diego. In this article, Frank offers his support, insights & recommendations about recovery based on his own experience.
As a result of the devastating fire, Frank's neighbors put together a resource--a way to organize "to feel in control again" Home Loss File System Home Lose Digital Files

Community Support

  • 🧭 Quick Action Checklist
  • • Current Resources as of November 2025 • Apply for CalAssist Mortgage Relief (opened June 12) –
  • • Apply for SBA EIDL loans before October 8, 2025 –
  • • Visit Altadena Survivor Support Center –
  • • Connect with local organizations to prevent displacement –
  • • Donate or volunteer with PJTC, Tongva, or community funds –
  • • Follow local news and social media to stay informed –
  • 📞 Key Contacts
  • • FEMA – 1-800-621-3362
  • • SBA Loan Support – 1-800-659-2955
  • • Altadena Survivor Center – Altadena Community Center, 730 E. Altadena Dr.
  • • L.A. County Recovery Hub –
  • https://recovery.lacounty.gov

Altadena Survivor Center Location:Altadena Community Center730 E. Altadena Drive Altadena, CA 91001
Operations Begin: Monday, June 2, 2025
Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m
No appointment is necessary to receive services. Residents are encouraged to visit the center to receive personalized support and guidance.
For more information, please contact DCBA at (800) 593-8222 or visit dcba.lacounty.gov/altadena-center

Altadena: Not For Sale

✊ Local Community Organizations• Altadena Not for Sale – Fights disaster gentrification and protects residents.https://www.instagram.com/altadenanotforsale• Altadena Collective – Assists with rebuilding permits and planning.https://altadenacollective.org• Altadena Chamber – Supports small business recovery.https://altadenachamber.org• Colorado Boulevard News – Ongoing local updates and news.https://coloradoboulevard.net
Cleanup Resources - State of CA

Please Let People know your needs

Amazon Lists - email your list to Kathy Woods at: kwoods6969@yahoo.com
In collaboration with the Palo Alto University Rotary Club, we are compiling a list on Amazon to help You with your current needs. It can be anything and will be anonymous to those wishing to purchase items for you:Clothes (check sizes)Toiletries (toothpaste, soap, deodorant)Non-perishable foodFirst aid suppliesBedding (blankets, pillows)Baby supplies (diapers, formula)Pet supplies (if applicable)Set Priorities: Mark essential items as “High Priority.” Kathy will receive your items and distribute them to you. John Muir Class of '72 Strong...Altadena Strong!

helping each other

Professional Referrals

We continue to build a list of resources to support our classmates and Altadena fire survivors to help rebuild.
If you’ve used a resource not listed here that was helpful, please share your recommendation by emailing Batya Bell de Berenfus at jb@jbbizwiz.com. Your insight could make a big difference.
Please make sure to look below at professional organization sites to do your due diligence when seeking professional help—whether legal, financial, therapeutic, or construction-related—please take time to thoroughly vet all providers. We strongly encourage checking licenses, references, reviews, and any relevant certifications before proceeding.
We're in this together, and trusted information and community care go a long way toward recovery. Below is an attorney that was referred by Leslie Nishimi (click image for PDF summary)