As an almost 30-year member and advocate for our beloved communities of Pasadena and Altadena, I write these words with a heavy heart. The recent disaster has left extraordinary devastation in its wake—homes, institutions, and cherished memories reduced to ash. Though I am fortunate to be among the lucky with my own home and neighborhood spared, the personal toll still feels significant. I find myself grappling with a strange mix of gratitude and guilt, shock and sadness, resolve and malaise.
In moments of crisis, community leaders are rightfully expected to rally—to guide, inspire, and act decisively. And yet, as I process this tragedy, I must admit to moments of paralysis and despair. The scale of destruction seems overwhelming: my eldest son’s old elementary school, St. Mark’s, is gone; the Altadena Town and Country Club, where I served on the board for years, lies in rubble; our beloved minister from Knox Presbyterian Church has lost his home; dear friends like Raymond and Charmayne Ealy are now without shelter; and numerous friends displaced, the list goes on and on. The threads of our community that I and so many others have invested decades to build, once so tightly woven, now feel badly frayed.
I share this not as an excuse but as an acknowledgment of the weight many of us carry. For those deeply vested in these communities, the pain is intensely personal. As an effective community leader, I have embraced empathy as core value and as a result can’t help but vicariously feel the pain and grief of my brothers and sister. This disaster has attacked the very fabric of what makes Pasadena and Altadena our beloved home. It reminds me of NATO’s founding principle: an attack on one is an attack on all. We are interconnected, and when one part of our community suffers, we all feel the ripple effects.
The Enormity of the Challenge
The scale of this catastrophe is staggering. Entire neighborhoods have been wiped out, cherished landmarks reduced to rubble, and lives uprooted overnight. It’s easy to feel paralyzed in the face of such enormity—to wonder if our small acts of kindness can ever amount to meaningful change. The sheer human and physical toll can make even the most steadfast among us question whether true recovery will be possible.
But as I’ve reflected on these feelings, I’ve come to an important realization: recovery doesn’t require any one person to solve everything. It requires all of us to address parts of it. Each small action, when multiplied across our communities, creates a collective and meaningful impact. The magnitude of this event is such that it has rippled across the nation bringing positive energy, resources and funding all generously flowing to our impacted communities.
Small Actions, Big Impact
The path to recovery begins with recognizing that even modest efforts matter. Supporting a friend’s GoFundMe campaign, making a donation to one of the various local relief funds, hosting a displaced family for dinner, or offering a temporary place to stay can all make a difference. These acts of kindness, though seemingly small in isolation, are the building blocks of our communities’ strength and resilience.
I encourage each of you to take a moment to reflect on what you can do now, no matter how minor it may seem. For some, it might be organizing a fundraiser or volunteering time. For others, it might be lending an empathetic ear or simply sharing valuable resources on social media. Each of these actions matters. Together, they form the foundation for our collective recovery and the sparks of hope for a better day.
A Marathon, Not a Sprint
Another vital lesson I’ve learned is that recovery from a catastrophe of this magnitude is a marathon, not a sprint. Right now, we are in the emergency response phase. The focus is on immediate critical needs: ensuring everyone has food, shelter, school and safety. But soon, we will move into the recovery phase, and eventually, the rebuilding phase. Each phase will require different kinds of energy, resources, and commitment.
Though our inclination will be to sprint to the finish line, the journey is simply too complex and littered with obstacles. However, breaking this challenge into logical, sequential phases has helped me feel less overwhelmed. It allows us to focus on what’s most urgent now, while keeping an eye on the long-term goals. By pacing ourselves and plotting a course, we can ensure that our communities’ recovery is both sustainable and effective. It’s a reminder that while the road ahead is long, it is not insurmountable.
Finding Hope in Community
Despite the devastation, I have also seen growing glimmers of hope. Neighbors helping neighbors, strangers offering support, and countless stories of resilience remind me of the incredible strength of our communities. Pasadena and Altadena have weathered challenges before, and though this may be one of our darkest chapters, I am confident that we will rise again.
We must remember that our communities’ strength lies not in their buildings or institutions, but in their people. The love and compassion we show one another during this time will define our recovery. We have the opportunity to rebuild not just what was lost, but to create even stronger, more connected communities.
Moving Forward Together
To those who, like me, feel overwhelmed or even paralyzed by the scope of this disaster, I urge you to start small. Take one step. Then another. And another. Each action, no matter how small, contributes to the greater whole. It’s not about solving every problem all at once – it’s about contributing in some way over the duration.
Let us also support one another in navigating the emotional toll of this tragedy. Shock, grief, and guilt are natural responses. We should not feel badly if we need a moment to acknowledge this terrible loss and grieve. Coming to terms with this catastrophic event will allow us to bring the best version of ourselves to assist in the recovery and rebuilding. I found our recent “group therapy” session for civic leaders that Dr. Pam King led at Civitas extremely helpful: she highlighted that self care is not just “me-care,” it’s for “we-care.”
I want to acknowledge our brave firefighters whose gallant efforts prevented this catastrophe becoming much worse, but who are grieving they weren’t able to do more sooner to prevent the destruction. The evening of Tuesday, January 7th was simply a no-win situation – a perfect storm destined to leave destruction.
As we embark on this long journey of recovery, let’s remember that we are not alone. Together, we can face this challenge. Together, we can rebuild. And together, we can ensure that Pasadena and Altadena remain the vibrant, resilient, diverse communities we all cherish. Though my heart still grieves for the precious neighborhoods we have lost, I am eager for the day when that grief transforms into hope—hope for a brighter future: rebuilt homes, flourishing businesses, and connected neighborhoods that reflect the strength and indomitable spirit of our community.
In the days, months and years ahead, I pledge to do my part—not only as a leader, but as a neighbor and a friend. I invite you to join me. Because in the end, it will be our collective efforts that will carry us through this tragedy into the compelling future we all seek.
Andy Wilson is a long-time resident of Pasadena and community organizer who served on the City Council from 2015 – 2022 including as Vice Mayor in 2021 and 2022