On January 20th, 2025, 211 LA hosted Infrastructure of Care, a gathering dedicated to reflecting on the recovery efforts following the LA wildfires and honoring the partnerships that were made during and after.
The evening began with a moment of reflection on the lasting impact of the wildfires and the collective response that followed. Our featured speaker, Miguel Santana, President and CEO of the California Community Foundation, joined us to mark the wildfire anniversary and recognize the progress made in recovery efforts. The event also included the presentation of two Certificates of Recognition to 211 LA from the offices of Assemblymembers Mark Gonzalez and John Harabedian.
Following the opening reflection and recognition, the evening created space for connection among community leaders, partners, and supporters from across Los Angeles County. It served as a reminder that recovery is a shared effort, strengthened by partnership coordination and a commitment to community.
At the heart of that recovery are the individuals and families whose lives were changed by the wildfires. That evening, 211 LA showcased a short film produced by the Telly Award-winning Art Simon Productions called “From Crisis to Care,” in which survivors recount their lives before the 2025 Los Angeles Wildfires, leading up to the moment everything changed and 211 LA answered their calls for support.
Building on the idea that people in crisis need assistance the moment it is needed, the next focus was the 211 LA Crisis Care Plan Alliance, presented by Maribel Marin. This new alliance formalizes a cross-sector disaster response network that enables 211 LA and its partners to move from referral-based crisis response to immediate, coordinated, and survivor-centered care through readiness, rapid activation, and long-term recovery support. Through proactive, collaborative efforts with its partners, the goal of the Alliance is for 211 LA to be able to help overwhelmed callers access resources through a single call, rather than having to contact several other resource providers to meet their immediate needs.
Alongside the release of our media and the 211 LA Crisis Care Plan Alliance at the event, 211 LA announced the launch of the storybook “Not Forgotten - The Data & Stories of Recovery from the 2025 Los Angeles Wildfires,” a reflection of 211 LA’s work through survivor experiences and data from the January 2025 Los Angeles wildfires, focusing on recovery from the disaster. The storybook is data-driven, showing the recovery efforts, the time it required, and the coordination involved as the wildfires persisted.
The storybook takes us back to the first days and weeks of the LA wildfires, specifically when 211 LA was activated by the County Office of Emergency Management. According to the story book, in just the first three weeks, “211 LA handled 41,669 wildfire-related contacts (~45% of all contacts answered during this period).” This surge in outreach underscores the immediate, overwhelming need for assistance during the crisis and reflects how quickly 211 LA mobilized to support survivors.
Alongside 211 LA’s rapid mobilization, collaborative partnerships played a critical role in making sure that families received the coordinated support they needed during this time. For example, in the storybook’s discussion on housing and the displacement response, it states that “through strategic partnerships with Airbnb.org and Hilton, 211 LA directly facilitated approximately $23 million in emergency and extended housing support for wildfire-impacted households, delivering immediate stability during a period of widespread displacement.” These partnerships translated into support for families in crisis. Together, Airbnb.org and 211 LA delivered more than 63,000 nights of non-congregated lodging, while Hilton and 211 LA facilitated more than 20,000 hotel room nights. This assistance provided shelter when many survivors didn’t know where to go.
As you explore the full storybook, you’ll discover more about 211 LA’s comprehensive wildfire response, clients' wildfire recovery stories, and a deeper look into what recovery is still required for many survivors. The story does not end here. It also outlines the critical next steps needed to strengthen long-term recovery efforts and prepare for the next disaster. We invite you to read more.
