Dena to Sacramento

In August 2026, two groups of Altadenans and our supporters traveled to Sacramento to speak up for Eaton Fire survivors. I went with the second group. We met with legislators at the State Capitol and in their offices. My primary job was to paint the action as it happened.

Our purpose was simple: to make sure the people making decisions about our recovery heard directly from the people living it. Survivors shared our stories in office after office, about lost homes, long displacement, and the gap between what it costs to rebuild and what families have to rebuild with.

Our voices were heard. In the months that followed, the state set aside new funding to help Altadena families rebuild and stay in their community, and lawmakers took steps to protect the rights of fire survivors. There is still a long road ahead, but we came home knowing that showing up matters.