Church Launches Free Support Space for Wildfire Victims

La Cañada Presbyterian Church has established a new community resource called Healing Grounds to support hundreds of families displaced by recent devastating fires. The free support space offers practical amenities and emotional support for those struggling in the aftermath of local wildfires, providing more than just a cup of coffee – it offers a lifeline of hope and connection.

“We know a lot of people are spending time waiting around town or needing a place to work,” said Pastor Ross Purdy, explaining the inspiration behind Healing Grounds.

“We have Wi-Fi, coffee, and refreshments, so we thought, ‘Why don’t we open this up to the community?’ It’s about offering a space for healing, bringing people together, providing quiet rooms where they can work or communicate, and simply getting to know one another.”

Located at 626 Foothill Blvd. in La Cañada-Flintridge, the initiative operates every Tuesday from 8:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Healing Grounds provides free Wi-Fi, quiet work areas, video conferencing rooms, yoga spaces, and refreshments in a welcoming atmosphere. No purchase is required.

“We’ve really wanted to create a space where people could just come and exist without having to pay to be there,” said Alicia Emerson, Assistant Director of Outreach. “A safe and welcoming place to work, hang out with friends, or bring their kids.”

The support space extends beyond physical amenities. “We’re not just here to care for people’s physical needs,” explained a church leader, highlighting their team’s training in empathetic listening and spiritual care. “We recognize that after addressing immediate physical needs, emotional and spiritual healing becomes crucial.”

Marion Lamb, Assistant Director of Spiritual Formation, has both a professional and personal connection to the initiative. “Right now we have a very deep need to connect with other people,” she said. “This is a great space to find companionship, a listening ear, and process what you’ve been through.” Lamb herself found unexpected support, using the space to help inventory items lost in the Altadena evacuation.

Teens also have dedicated resources within Healing Grounds. Heather Henry, Director of Family Ministries, has created a youth area complete with pool tables, foosball, and a safe space to do homework or simply hang out.

“I’m here because this is a great opportunity to serve the community and people in great need,” said volunteer Sonja Woosley, capturing the initiative’s mission.

With its official tagline “Come find connection, comfort, community, and care,” Healing Grounds aims to provide more than temporary respite – it offers a pathway to healing for a community in crisis.