State Senators Invite Altadena Residents to a Listening Session on the Urgent Need for an Equitable Recovery in the Aftermath of the Wildfires
State Senators Lola Smallwood-Cuevas (D-Los Angeles) and Sasha Renée Pérez (D-Pasadena) brought together Altadena residents, community leaders and service agency representatives for an “Equitable Recovery for Altadena: A Listening Session” held on King Day at Pasadena Church East Campus. The event, which gave Altadena residents impacted by the wildfires an opportunity to voice their experiences, provided a platform for an urgent discussion on ensuring that community members – regardless of their background – receive equal access to relief and rebuilding efforts.
“Our hearts go out to these residents, who have the unfathomable task of rebuilding their lives and homes in Altadena, where generations of their families have lived,” said Senator Smallwood-Cuevas. “We must pledge to do what’s right by making sure that Altadena is met with an equitable recovery, and that no one is displaced or redlined during the rebuilding of this historic community.”
Nearly 200 Altadena residents filled the church, where they were greeted by community leaders as well as representatives from a broad range of service agencies. During the listening session, local residents lined up before a microphone to share testimonials on how their lives were upended by the wildfires, many of whom lost their homes and businesses. Residents also posed questions to a group of relief panelists about how to access critical resources, such as affordable interim housing, home and small business loans, and financial resources for underinsured and uninsured homeowners. In addition, the panelists offered recommendations on how to avoid price gouging during this vulnerable period.
Following the discussion, the panelists remained at the event to further address questions from impacted residents and encouraged them to visit on-site informational booths. Service agencies represented at the event included the American Red Cross, California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, California Department of Insurance, California Department of Social Services, California Black Freedom Fund, FEMA, and Small Business Administration.
Senator Lola Smallwood Cuevas represents the 28th Senate District, which includes the communities of South Los Angeles, Mid City, Culver City, West Los Angeles, Century City and Downtown Los Angeles. Senator Smallwood-Cuevas spent more than two decades serving as a worker rights and racial equity advocate before her election to the State Senate. She resides in the View Park community of South Los Angeles with her family.
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