"Beauty for Ashes" by Community Build Inc.

Wildfire relief

County of Los Angeles (select only if your project has a countywide benefit)

Expand existing project, program, or initiative (expanding and continuing ongoing, successful work)

Families impacted by the wildfires have lost everything and are struggling to rebuild their lives, homes, and livelihoods. They face major challenges navigating insurance, FEMA, and job loss—compounded by systemic inequities. Community Build Inc. has been working with over 20 agencies and is in direct contact with affected families to understand their true needs. We are aware of the critical resource gaps and emotional toll they face. Their voices have been largely excluded from media and policy conversations. Without a centralized hub or platform to share their stories, they remain unseen and underserved. Community Build Inc. aims to change this by combining intimate storytelling with resource-sharing through a sustainable, community-centered initiative.

“Beauty for Ashes” will conduct in-depth interviews and professional portraits of wildfire-impacted families, paired with a visual map of their homes and neighborhoods. These will be compiled into a powerful printed book that documents their personal journeys—highlighting challenges like navigating insurance, FEMA, job loss, and trauma—while also honoring their resilience and vision for the future. What makes this initiative unique is its dual approach: storytelling as advocacy and healing, and resource access as action.
Alongside the book, we will build an accessible digital resource hub and host quarterly pop-up events in trusted community spaces to directly connect families with housing support, job assistance, mental health resources, and more. This initiative is led by a team embedded in the community and already working with over 20 agencies. By blending intimate storytelling with practical support, “Beauty for Ashes” provides a dignified, community-rooted model for long-term recovery that can be replicated in other wildfire-impacted regions.

The expected outcome: In addition to sharing family stories, we will create a trackable conversation and roadmap to support communities through emergency response and long-term recovery. Los Angeles will become a place where disaster recovery centers the voices of those most impacted, ensuring families are included in rebuilding efforts. Families impacted by wildfires will gain access to resources and practical support to truly recover—not just survive. This model of blending storytelling with resource-sharing will guide other wildfire-impacted communities, promote healing, preserve cultural identity, and shift recovery power back to the people. It will also encourage policymakers and funders to support historically overlooked communities, fostering resilience and care across Los Angeles.