Community Organization Hosts Wellness Day For Women Affected By Eaton Canyon Fires

Reddy To Care will host a free wellness event this Saturday to support women of color affected by the January 2025 Eaton Canyon Fires in Pasadena. The “Rise & Heal: A Women’s Wellness Day” aims to provide healing-centered workshops, wellness check-ins and resource support for those impacted by the disaster.

The wellness day will take place on April 26 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Holy Assembly Church of God in Christ in Pasadena, 55 E Villa St, in Pasadena. Pre-registered participants will receive breakfast, lunch, raffles, and self-care giveaways during the day-long event.

Attendees will have access to trauma-informed care through various wellness facilitators, including Dr. Keisha White (KCW Psychological Services) and Dr. Amanda S. Walker (The Whole Mood Foundation) for wellness check-ins, Dr. Kenya Williams for yoga, Dr. Joy Dabbs (The Oracle Inside Healing Center) for grief recovery, Chantelle Adanna (Chantelle Adanna Publishing) for writing therapy, and Heather Hilliard Bonds, an Altadena-Pasadena native, for art therapy.

A vision board creation table will also be available specifically for Altadena fire survivors to help them envision their new homes and futures.

Multiple resource vendors will be on site, including NHS of LA County, Alter Care Line, and Black Women for Wellness. The event has garnered support from several sponsors, including Bags of Blessings, Holy Assembly Church of God in Christ, HOMLI, Rick Van Gogh, RKM Consulting, and Majano’s Coffee.

Community partners include WalkGood LA, Massage Envy Hastings Ranch, A Brighter Day Resource Center, World Central Kitchen, Gracie’s Giving Hands, 2nd Call Pasadena, The Flintridge Center, Extended Beauty Bar, All City Printing, and The UPS Store.

Bags of Blessings, a Pasadena-rooted program under Reddy To Care, has already distributed over 300 essential care bags since launching in late 2024. The organization has worked with various nonprofits including The Flintridge Center and Shepherd’s Door to serve unhoused women, formerly incarcerated individuals, and families in need.

LaKaysha Redd, the founder of Reddy To Care and Bags of Blessings, grew up in the Crenshaw District and is a longtime community organizer with deep ties to both Pasadena and Altadena communities. She has served as a trauma-informed facilitator for 2nd Call Pasadena and the Flintridge Center Construction Apprenticeship Program.

The goal is for Rise & Heal to become a recurring monthly event to provide long-term emotional wellness and recovery support, though additional funding and community partnerships will be needed to sustain this goal.

Reddy To Care is a grassroots initiative that empowers underserved individuals through access to resources, education, and support. Bags of Blessings is its signature program, providing curated care packages centered on wellness, self-care, and confidence for women and families in need.

Those interested can still register, donate, or volunteer for the event through the website https://givebutter.com/RiseANDHeal or by contacting Redd at (909) 267-0417.