Disaster Recovery and Resilience

In the wake of devastating wildfires in 2025, the Diocese of Los Angeles used funds awarded by Episcopal Relief & Development to develop its Disaster Recovery and Resilience ministry. Led by Missioner Grace Wakelee-Lynch and supported by Whitney White, Community Coordinator, and the Rev. Payton Hoegh, Chaplain, the program offers direct aid to congregations and communities affected by disaster while preparing for and building resilience for future challenges.

The program currently supports congregations and community members impacted by the 2025 Eaton and Palisades fires. These congregations include St. Mark’s in Altadena, whose historic church was destroyed; St. Matthew’s in Pacific Palisades, whose campus and school buildings were extensively damaged; St. Barnabas, St. James, and All Saints in Pasadena; and Church of Our Saviour in San Gabriel. They serve people who lost homes, experienced long-term displacement, and continue to navigate rebuilding, recovery, and healing.

Current priorities

Financial and Material Support for Basic Needs

Providing fresh produce to twice-monthly food distributions in Altadena through Seeds of Hope and Home of Kings and Queens.
Funding recovery grants for clients in case management with the Eaton Fire Collaborative and Malibu Community Long Term Recovery Group.
Funding recovery grants for impacted immigrant families through Boys and Girls Clubs of Malibu and the Clergy Community Coalition.

Ethical Recovery Financing

Creation of a pilot loan program in collaboration with the Episcopal Community Federal Credit Union to offer zero-interest recovery loans to impacted households. First round of loans has been distributed across impacted Episcopal congregations and clients in case management with Eaton and Malibu/Palisades long-term recovery groups.

Diocesan Preparedness and Resilience

Deanery-based cohorts of preparedness programming, centered on identifying community needs and meeting them by growing and sustaining existing parish gifts and ministries.

Spiritual care and pastoral support

Providing emotional and spiritual care for the clergy, lay leaders, and parishioners in impacted Episcopal congregations and communities in the diocese.

Find support and ways to help

For survivors