New short film follows an Altadena musician from the night of the Eaton fire to a permanent home, 13 months later.
PASADENA, CA – Wednesday, September 30, 2026 – 211 LA today released "Robin's
Journey," the second installment of From Crisis to Care, the short film series that recently
earned 211 LA its second Gold Telly Award in two years. Produced in collaboration with Art
Simon Productions, the new film follows Robin Ivory, a longtime Altadena resident and musician
who lost her home in the January 2025 Eaton fire.
Robin moved to Altadena in 1988 and converted one room of her home into a music space,
where she spent countless hours and, as it turned out, her last night in that house. When the fire
reached her neighborhood, she was awakened by her doorbell and a police officer with a bullhorn ordering residents to leave. She evacuated with only a backpack and the clothes she
was wearing. Everything else, including irreplaceable family photographs, was lost.
"I'm sitting there depressed out of my mind, being almost paralyzed by it," Robin says in the film.
"For me, 211 LA means hope."
After contacting 211 LA, Robin was paired with Care Coordinator Yvonne Aguirre, who began
with a single goal: housing. From there, Yvonne helped Robin navigate FEMA assistance,
secure food, clothing, and warm blankets, and connect with partners including the Salvation
Army for financial support and car repairs. Thirteen months after the fire, Robin moved into
permanent housing. Through the Instrumental Giving group, she also received a baby grand
piano, allowing her to return to the music at the center of her life.
During the January 2025 wildfires, 211 LA provided emergency housing support to nearly
60,000 people with support from Airbnb.org and Hilton. The California Community Foundation
(CCF) recently highlighted 211 LA's role in wildfire recovery. In the early days of our wildfire
response, CCF made its largest single emergency grant from its Wildfire Recovery Fund to 211
LA. CCF President and CEO Miguel A. Santana, who spoke at the January premiere of From
Crisis to Care, described 211 LA as "the front door to recovery."
"Robin's story reflects what recovery really looks like: not a single phone call, but someone
staying with you until you're back on your feet," said Maribel Marin, Executive Director of 211
LA. "We are honored that From Crisis to Care has been recognized by the Telly Awards, and
even more grateful to Robin and every resident who trusted us to share their story."
From Crisis to Care spotlights Altadena families affected by the 2025 Los Angeles wildfires and
the partnerships that helped them rebuild. The first film premiered at 211 LA's wildfire
anniversary event in January 2026. It went on to win a Gold Telly Award, following 211 LA's
previous Gold Telly for the impact story of U.S. veteran Lewis Jackson. The Telly Awards honor
excellence in video and television and draw thousands of entries each year from organizations
worldwide.
Read more about the Gold Telly Award:
https://211la.org/articles/211-la-earns-second-gold-telly-award-crisis-care.
Read the California Community Foundation's feature on 211 LA:
https://www.calfund.org/news-and-events/211-la-emerged-as-lifeline-for-wildfire-survivors-now-it
s-launching-a-new-coalition-to-prepare-for-the-next-disaster/
Watch "Robin's Journey": [Video link]
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About 211 LA
A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, 211 LA has served the people of Los Angeles County since
1981, helping residents navigate the most challenging crises, from homelessness to the
COVID-19 pandemic to the devastating LA wildfires. 211 LA is the hub for community members
and community organizations looking for all types of health, human, and social services in Los Angeles County.
Contact: Gilbert Zavala
Communications Director
media.requests@211la.org
