Little Tokyo’s Response for the Fires in the Los Angeles Area

Our hearts are with all our loved ones and communities impacted by the Los Angeles wildfires.

As the Los Angeles community begins to face the aftermath of the horrific Eaton and Palisades fires that have caused so much loss and devastation, people everywhere are mobilizing to help those who have lost loved ones, homes, businesses, and livelihoods, and to support the firefighters and first responders who continue their tireless efforts to contain the fires and protect lives and property as dangerous conditions persist.

Our Little Tokyo neighborhood is safe and intact, but many who work here are not. Thousands more are eager to find ways to help those affected by the fires. A coalition of Little Tokyo organizations are now working to coordinate our efforts to provide relief and community resources, including JACCC, JANM, LTCC, LTSC and Visual Communications, in cooperation with the Consulate General of Japan in Los Angeles. We are hearing from many charities and mutual aid organizations that they are currently overwhelmed with donations of goods and other offers of help in response to immediate needs. This group is turning our attention to identifying ways to help meet key needs for the medium and longer-term recovery. We are reaching out to our colleagues, constituents, and community organizations in the affected areas to determine how we can be of most help. We will keep you updated and in the meantime, encourage those who can to make financial contributions to organizations who are well equipped to distribute aid.

If Los Angeles is anything, we are resilient. We will get through this together.

For those needing assistance and those looking to donate to trusted relief organizations, here are some resources to consider:

• Josh Morey of Morey Insurance has a two-part video of advice for those navigating the insurance claims.

• Cal Fire gives current information about the status of the fires, including evacuation shelters, orders, and warnings, road closures, and animal evacuation shelters.

• The Federal Emergency Management Administration provides resources for those affected by the fires.

• The Mutual Aid Network of Los Angeles has an ongoing list of fire and windstorm resources.

• World Central Kitchen is providing meals to first responders and impacted residents.

• The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will open two Disaster Loan Outreach Centers (DLOC) in Los Angeles and Ventura counties on Tuesday, Jan. 14. The centers will assist small businesses, private nonprofit (PNP) organizations, and residents who sustained economic losses and physical damages from the wildfires and straight-line winds that began Jan. 7.

• The Los Angeles Unified School District provides a Family and Community Recovery Guide, school updates, and other resources for those who have been displaced because of the fires.

• Kurata Eyecare is providing free replacement contact lens or eyewear for those affected by the LA fires.

• The Emergency Management Department of the City of Los Angeles provides wildfire recovery resources.

EVACUATION SHELTERS

• 211 provides a range of community services and is partnering with Airbnb to provide temporary housing for those displaced by the fires.

• Los Angeles Tourism has a list of hotels offering relief accommodations.

DONATE

• The Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation (LAFD) Foundation provides vital equipment and funds critical programs to help the LAFD save lives and protect communities.

• The California Community Foundation, Wildfire Recovery Fund is accepting donations to help with the recovery from these fires.

• The American Red Cross is accepting online donations to help those affected by the wildfires.

• Wildlife Relief Fund GoFundMe
  Monetary donations help deliver cash grants directly to those impacted by fires. The GoFundMe team identifies verified individuals who qualify and are fundraising either for themselves or on someone else’s behalf.

• Salvation Army
  The Salvation Army is currently accepting donations through the Emergency Disaster Fund to help meet the urgent need across Southern California.

• Pasadena Humane
  Pasadena Humane has taken in over 400 animals from the Eaton Fire Emergency. They are desperately in need of monetary donations to help purchase medical supplies and other resources.

FOR ARTISTS

• Craft Emergency Relief Fund
  CERF+ offers $3,000 Emergency Relief Grants to craft artists who experienced a recent and substantially disruptive emergency or disaster.

• Entertainment Community Fund
  The Entertainment Community Fund is providing resources and financial assistant to those in the entertainment industry affected by the Southern California Wildfires.

• The Artists’ Fellowship Emergency Aid
  The Artists’ Fellowship provides one-time emergency aid to professional visual fine artists and their families in times of sickness, natural disaster, bereavement, or unexpected extreme hardship.

• Rauschenberg Emergency Medical Grant
  The Rauschenberg Medical Emergency Grants program provides one-time grants of up to $5,000 for recent unexpected medical, dental, and mental health emergencies to artists in financial need who are creating in the visual arts, film/video/electronic/digital arts, and choreography.

• The Pollock-Krasner Foundation
  The Foundation provides financial resources up to $50,000 for visual artists to create new work, acquire supplies, rent studio space, prepare for exhibitions, attend a residency and offset living expenses.

• LA Art World Fire Relief Fund
  Mutual aid fund to assist artists and art workers with severe loss or damage to homes, studios, or property.

• Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Foundation
  The SAG Foundation provides assistance to eligible SAG-AFTRA members during times of crisis and personal need, offering emergency financial aid, as well as grants for health coverage in cases of catastrophic injury or illness or need for COBRA coverage.

• Will Rogers Motion Picture Pioneers Assistance Fund (MPPAF)
  The MPPAF serves members of the motion picture entertainment industry (exhibition, distribution, and trade services) who are encountering an illness, injury, or life-changing event.

• Motion Picture & Television Fund
  MPTF is currently providing services including financial assistance, providing supportive counseling, and assistance navigating insurance needs.

• The Inevitable Foundation’s Emergency Relief Fund
  The Inevitable Foundation’s Emergency Relief Fund provides cash grants to disabled and neurodivergent writers and filmmakers in crisis.

• MusiCares
  MusiCares provides crisis relief, preventive care, recovery resources, and need-based financial assistance for people across all music professions.

• L.A. Arts Community Fire Relief Fund
  Beginning Monday, January 20, artists and arts workers in all disciplines who have been impacted by the fires can go to the Center for Cultural Innovation’s website to apply for an emergency grant.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

• Little Tokyo Service Center has a working resource list to help those impacted by the fires.

• Counsel for Creators explains what to do recover your losses after the wildfires.

• DreamSpring curated a detailed list of resources for creative artists.

• LA Times has complied an extensive list of how to help those affected by the fires in LA County.

Our thoughts are with all of you in Los Angeles County as you take every precaution to protect yourselves and your loved ones. We are here for you.