Eton’s victim, who lost everything to Blaze, believes in a local nonprofit dedicated to helping seniors get her feet back.
Bridget Brewster is one of several residents rescued by Pasadena Village, an elderly organization dedicated to helping others over the age of 55 in the Pasadena area. Nonprofits have linked seniors affected by the brush fire to housing options and other resources.
Brewster recalls pulling out the only book she could save when the fire struck.
“This was the book I was reading during the fire,” she said. It is one of the very few that she was able to grab before she was kicked out of her home by the flames.
At the time she lived in the property of Altadena’s son. Her house was attached to her son.
“For me, it was pretty surreal,” Brewster said. “For example, what do we do? That’s the only home I know in California.”
During the aftermath of the flames, after living with a relative at Porter Ranch, she was able to find a home in South Pasadena in early March. Brewster added that he also kicked last week’s rental support.
“The miracle was one of the first outreach calls I’ve got, from Pasadena village,” she said.
Katie Brandon, executive director of the nonprofit, said she has a good understanding of the community that the 240 senior community needs.
“These are active, independent, aging seniors and I love this community,” Brandon said. “They want to stay in this community.”
In addition to helping members find housing options, volunteers from the organization gave them rides to fire victims, delivered air purifiers to them, and picked up supplies to distribute to affected people.
“The impact of trauma and mental health on the elderly community is just complicated,” Brandon said. “Having friends makes all the difference.”
For more information about Pasadena Village, click here.
Source link