Dena Care Collective Raises $1 Million to Support Families Affected by Eaton Fire

We’re thrilled to see the Dena Care Collective surpass $1 million in aid. Growing up in Altadena, I saw my community's struggles and strength. It’s where I developed my passion for justice and commitment to uplifting those too often overlooked. Those closest to the pain are closest to the solutions, and we’re committed to listening, fighting, and building a more just future. Aja Brown, Former Mayor of Compton and Senior Vice President of Impact at FORWARD

The Dena Care Collective has now raised over $1 million to support families devastated by the Eaton Fire, thanks to a surge of contributions, including a recent grant from FireAid. Dena Care Collective provides long-term recovery support for people in LA’s historic Black communities, uniquely combining direct cash payments with case management, user-friendly tech, and real data insights to bolster rebuilding and healing long after traditional relief efforts fade. As Altadena’s historic Black communities face compounding disasters, including recent mudslides, Dena Care’s innovative, equity-driven approach has also received support from major philanthropic players, including Hailey Bieber’s Rhode Futures Foundation. 100% of donations go directly to Altadena and Pasadena residents.

A disaster like the Eaton fire can mean financial devastation for families, small businesses, and individuals because it can take years and mountains of red tape to recover. Our goal builds on my commitment to provide cash with no strings attached to people who need it most and give them access to the resources they need to build their own futures. This is more than just relief; it’s a blueprint for resilience, ensuring historically underserved communities don’t just rebuild but emerge stronger.

Michael Tubbs, Founder of End Poverty in California

At a time when nearly 60% of Americans can’t afford a $1,000 emergency, former Stockton, CA mayor Michael Tubbs and former Compton, CA mayor Aja Brown started the Dena Care Collective to reimagine disaster relief for underserved communities who are left behind by traditional relief efforts. Their organizations, End Poverty in California (EPIC) and FORWARD launched the program to cut through systemic barriers and deliver equitable aid and long-term recovery support.

With the support from FireAid, the Dena Care Collective will be able to expand its support, which currently includes:

Delivering direct cash assistance to families and businesses using proven digital payment models.
Eliminating bureaucratic hurdles with a centralized, user-friendly platform for resource navigation.
Building long-term resilience through case management systems that connect individuals to services and track ongoing needs.
Leveraging real data insights to inform equitable resource allocation and advocate for systemic policy reforms.
Strengthening fraud prevention measures to ensure transparency and trust in disaster relief efforts.

EPIC will also champion storytelling by people directly impacted by the disaster, ensuring that families have a platform to share their challenges, ambitions, and ideas in their own words as they recover.

“We’re going to be with these folks for a while,” Tubbs said. “We know that real stories are the root of impactful policies, and this work will help seed an agenda that repairs harm and builds resilience for communities.”