Chelsea Cartwright encourages Altadena residents who lost their homes in the Eaton Fire. Thursday, January 16, 2025 [Eddie Rivera / Pasadena Now]
“We know why you’re here,” continued an empathetic Judd, the former Executive Director of the WM Keck Institute for Space Studies, a joint institute of Jet Propulsion Laboratory and Caltech. Her home was destroyed in the Eaton Fire.
More than a score of Altadena residents who lost their homes gathered together as Judd referred to the attendees as “initiates” in the “Order of the Phoenix.” The name, inspired by the mythical bird that rises from its ashes, set the tone for the group’s mission: supporting one another through a three-year plan to rebuild homes and lives.
Attendees identified themselves with colored tags, (and were directed to hug those with similarly colored tags), as those who lost everything, those with partial damage, and even those whose homes were spared. Each member faced unique challenges, from navigating insurance claims to coping with survivor’s guilt.
Judd explained, “The first big thing you need to know is that we’re all going to show up on the first day construction starts at any of your homes. We’ll be there for each other—every day, every milestone.”
Judd laughingly explained, “I have a champagne sabre that I will bring and use at every new construction site, and at every day that a new home opens.
“This is the Order of the Phoenix,” Judd said. “We’re not going to boot you out if you miss a meeting. We’re here for you, no matter what.”
Members discussed practical steps, like finding a communications coordinator to keep everyone informed, and emotional support strategies, like monthly gatherings to maintain the group’s bond.
Co-organizer Chelsea Cartwright urged attendees to prioritize self-care, comparing the recovery process to putting on an oxygen mask in an airplane emergency.
“You need to nurture yourselves,” she said. “We’re all running on adrenaline, trying to plug into resources and help others. But we have to slow down and take care of ourselves to truly support the community.”
Members also addressed the complexities of loss, extending far beyond the physical destruction of homes.
“It’s not just things,” one member shared. “I lost my father’s possessions, my entire art studio—everything I’ve ever painted, drawn, or made. Those aren’t just replaceable items. They’re pieces of our lives.”
The meeting concluded with a rallying cry of “Are we going to rise from the ashes?” as the crowd responded with an emphatic, “Hell, yes!”
“Altadena is stronger than ever,” Judd said in closing. “We’re not just rebuilding houses; we’re rebuilding a community. And when someone wants to help you, you say ‘yes.’”
