The Palisades YMCA branch of the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles has burnt down as a result of the fires raging across Los Angeles County this week.
“It is with great heartbreak that I share that the beloved Palisades YMCA has been lost to us due to the devastating fires racing through many parts of Southern California,” said Mark Dengler, the EVP and COO of the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles, in a LinkedIn post. “A building originally constructed as a movie theater and converted to a YMCA served this community for 60 years churning out dedicated staff members and servicing this tight knit community and in many ways serving as its anchor.”
Communities in and around Pacific Palisades, Altadena, Pasadena and Sylmar are grappling with the devastation of the blazes. Collectively, the fires have scorched more than 21,000 acres and destroyed more than 1,000 homes, businesses and other buildings.
The YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles is taking the following action steps to assist the community:
Immediate Support
- Converting YMCA centers into temporary evacution sites, offering shelter, showers and basic amenities.
- Providing childcare services for first responders and displaced families, ages 5 and up.
Resource Hub
- Centers will serve as distribution points for emergency supplies.
- Parking lots can serve as staging areas for emergency vehicles and safe spaces for community members to park.
- Gym spaces will serve as donation sorting/storage areas.
Community Services
- Providing free access to YMCA amenities to displaced residents.
- Offering mental health support through existing counseling programs.
Immediate Community Access
- All non-affected locations are opening their doors with free day passes.
- Creating welcoming spaces for:
- Families needing a safe haven.
- Community members seeking connection.
- Those requiring basic necessities like charging phones, fresh water, etc.
- Anyone needing mental health support or resource guidance
The Y’s licensed clinical social workers are ready to provide immediate support to youth and families and help connect them to resources.
Donations and Support
- The Y’s Koreatown Center for Community Well-Being at 433 S. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles, and the Westchester YMCA at 8015 S. Sepulveda, Westchester, are the organization’s designated donation sites and are accepting essential items for fire-affected families.
- Contacts: Rae Jin at RaeJin@ymcaLA.org for Koreatown Center or Dawn Everard at DawnEverard@ymcaLA.org for Westchester Y.
- The Y has reached out to community partners, including the Red Cross to serve as a community resource and emergency relief sites. The Y is also working with its food distribution partners to provide food security services at non-affected Y Centers for all those in need.
- Also, according to the Los Angeles Times, there is a call for supporting the Los Angeles Fire Department by donating to the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation. You can do so online here.
Y Center Facility Updates as of Thursday, January 9
- Palisades YMCA & Simon Meadow: Fully evacuated and impacted.
- Sierra Madre Y: Fully evacuated and threatened. Power outage.
- Santa Anita Y: Fully evacuated and Threatened. Power outage.
- Santa Clarita Y (5 Knolls Property): No immediate threat but under observation.
- Mid Valley Y: No Immediate threat but under observation
- Collins & Katz Y: Closed. Power outage, will resume operation once power is restored.
- Hollywood Y: Closed as of Thursday, January 9.
Contact the YMCA
- For donations and information on how to support the YMCA during this time, contact CelinaSatiago@ymcaLA.org.
- For volunteer opportunities, contact AshleyBerg@ymcaLA.org.
