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Compassion Heals
Series: Healing LA From The WildfiresOn January 25, our relief distribution in West LA took place to help the families impacted by the Palisades Fire. Many had lost their homes and were in the process of rebuilding. “Our house burned down in the Palisades Fire, but our family is safe.” shared Joanne Curtis, a care recipient looking to provide normalcy for her children after having to move into a hotel. Claire Rexon, an 80-year-old woman familiar with volunteer work, also lost her home in the Palisades Fire, and Marjan Rejabi lost her home as a single mom and even had to protect her sister’s home from looters.
Financial support, food, and supplies were made available to help the residents through such hardships. Doing their best to also lend emotional support, our volunteers Jenny Hsu, who came all the way from Koreatown, and Megan Shih, part of Tzu Chi Collegiate Association, emphasized showing recipients that they were not alone. “They need people to know them, to comfort them, to help them, to love them so they feel more relief,” Jenny said.
After receiving support, care recipients were able to look to the future with new hope. Curtis mentioned, “I will use the funds to buy beds for my kids, pillows for my kids to sleep on.” Nancy Niles, a care recipient, also expressed gratitude: “This is a really pleasant, wonderful setting where you feel welcomed. Tzu Chi has been… They’re just absolutely wonderful people.”
Credits
Editor: Daniel Ferrara
Music: ‘The Ambient’ by ElectroAnimals, ‘Emotional On’ by Sersal Studio, ‘This Emotional’ by Sersal Studio
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