Today marks one year since the Altadena fires changed lives across Los Angeles.

Homes were lost. Livelihoods were disrupted. Families were displaced. And for many, the hardest part wasn’t the flames themselves, but the long, complex road that followed.

In the days after the fires, Operation HOPE was on the ground listening, responding, and standing alongside survivors as they navigated insurance, FEMA, SBA, small business recovery, and the financial uncertainty that disasters leave behind.

Through HOPE Inside Disaster and Project Restore HOPE – LA, that commitment didn’t fade after the headlines moved on. Operation HOPE, our partners, and supporters sprang into action to help the community that first helped incubate our mission.

Over the past year:

701 individuals received direct financial recovery support

226 disaster recovery and preparedness plans were completed

49 FEMA/SBA applications were supported, including 30 appeals

Survivors saw an average 50% increase in financial readiness

While we celebrate the numbers, we are most encouraged by what they represent: stability restored, confidence rebuilt, and futures reclaimed.

One of those stories belongs to Alisha, a Pacific Palisades resident whose home remained standing after the fires, but was left uninhabitable due to smoke damage and hazardous materials. Facing displacement, health risks, and a stalled insurance process, Alisha turned to HOPE Inside Disaster for guidance and advocacy.

“I want people to know that Operation HOPE is a literal godsend,” Alisha shared. “There is support that has no agenda, but to help.”

With the support of a HOPE Disaster Recovery Coach, she navigated FEMA and insurance barriers, evaluated remediation options, and ultimately avoided more than $120,000 in unnecessary costs, regaining not just her home, but her sense of agency and direction.

This work would not be possible without corporate and community partners like Wells Fargo, Global Empowerment Mission, and others, who believe that recovery must be local, long-term, and equitable. Through the collective effort of our partners, donors, and volunteers, we’ve been able to stand up HOPE Inside Disaster services in wildfire-impacted communities, ensuring survivors have access to trusted financial guidance when they need it most.

Today is a moment to remember what was lost, but also to honor what was built.

A permanent HOPE Recovery Office now stands in Altadena. Small businesses have reopened. Families have moved from crisis to stability. And the work continues, because recovery doesn’t happen on a timeline, and neither does hope.

As we mark this anniversary, we remain committed to walking with Los Angeles for as long as it takes, helping communities rebuild stronger, more resilient, and more prepared for the future.