Rapid Relief. Real Recovery. Right Here.

Wildfire relief

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

Applying a proven solution to a new issue or sector (using an existing model, tool, resource, strategy, etc. for a new purpose)

Wildfires don’t just destroy homes—they destabilize entire communities. In LA County, families impacted by disaster often face cascading crises: sudden displacement, loss of income, school disruption, and, ultimately, homelessness. These risks are magnified for immigrant and undocumented households who may avoid traditional aid systems due to fear or ineligibility. GEM understands that disaster recovery isn’t just about debris removal—it’s about restoring stability. Without fast, flexible, and culturally competent support, families fall through the cracks. We’ve seen it across California, from Chico to Malibu, and now in LA. Our Rental Assistance and Small Business Recovery programs prevent long-term displacement, restore income streams, and keep children in school. After proving successful in Lahaina and North Carolina, we are ready to scale this model in LA—where the next fire season is already approaching.

This grant will support Global Empowerment Mission’s wildfire recovery initiative in Los Angeles County, focused on stabilizing displaced families through direct Rental Assistance and Small Business Recovery grants. These programs have already helped hundreds of families rebuild their lives in Lahaina and North Carolina by keeping people housed, restoring income sources, and reducing long-term displacement. In LA, the same model will be activated through GEM’s Glendale warehouse and office, allowing us to serve as a rapid deployment hub for immediate relief—while offering sustained support long after headlines fade. Funds will help cover emergency rental subsidies, case-managed recovery plans, and small business rebuilding grants for survivors, with no citizenship requirements and full language accessibility. This initiative is specifically designed to prevent homelessness, keep children in school, and protect the most vulnerable from falling deeper into crisis after wildfire disasters.

If GEM’s work is successful, Los Angeles County will be more resilient, more equitable, and far less vulnerable to disaster-driven homelessness. Families displaced by wildfires won’t end up in tents, shelters, or cars—they’ll stay housed, their children will remain in school, and their livelihoods will recover. Our model—proven in Lahaina, North Carolina, and Chico—prevents the cascade from disaster to chronic homelessness, which has already impacted 1 in 3 unhoused Californians due to wildfire-related displacement. By offering immediate rental and business support, with no citizenship requirements, GEM ensures immigrant and undocumented families aren't left behind. Our work turns temporary recovery into long-term stability and breaks the cycle of displacement that continues to strain LA’s systems. With support, we will help build a future where disaster no longer equals despair.