Back
In January 2025, the Eaton Fire swept through the hills of California, destroying homes, displacing thousands of families, and destroying Pasadena Rosebud Academy—a charter school that had become more than just a place of learning for its students.
“Prior to the fires, Rosebud Academy had a beautiful facility in the hills of Altadena. We had an amazing program, a high-performing school serving students of color, closing the achievement gap,” said Shawn Brown, Rosebud Academy Founder and Director. “After the fires, we were left with nothing. Everything we built was burned.”
The Reality of Recovery
Twelve months later, the work of rebuilding continues, and needs remain. Many students attend classes in temporary, portable classrooms. Some families had to transfer their children to other schools when they couldn’t find rental housing in the same neighborhood. Teachers are working hard to make do in temporary classrooms, many replacing materials they had purchased out of their own pockets.
“Even though we have settled in a temporary location, and on the outside it may look like we’re okay, we are not anywhere close to where we need to be,” Brown explained.
Good360’s Impact
Throughout the past year, Good360 has stood alongside the Rosebud community at every stage of their recovery. In partnership with the BeyGOOD Foundation, we distributed over $467,000 in donated products—including toys, home goods, beauty products, clothing, and footwear—to 300 households from Rosebud Academy and the greater Pasadena and Altadena community at two distribution events: one in the immediate aftermath of the fires and another seven months later as families moved into new rentals or temporary housing.
For families like the Griffins, who lost everything, these essentials made a tangible difference. Rachel Griffin and her son Genesis have been staying in a shelter since their family’s Altadena home was destroyed. “We lost everything during the fires, but we continue to persevere,” Rachel shared. “Our community is strong.”
As students returned to temporary classrooms at the beginning of the school year, Good360 worked with United Airlines and DonorsChoose to organize a field trip to LAX airport. Students were surprised with toys and much-needed classroom supplies to replace what was lost in the fires—bringing both joy and practical support during a difficult transition.
Good360 also partnered with the BeyGOOD Foundation and the Hummingly Foundation to host a Day of Play at Dave & Buster’s. While students from Rosebud enjoyed the arcade, parents connected with one another, sharing stories and learning tools for navigating mental health and long-term recovery.
“To see the smile on his face, he hasn’t had that since the fires,” Rachel said of her son during one of the community events. “For that first month, it was a lot. These events are a breath of fresh air—my son is able to finally have fun.”
“Disaster recovery is not a one-time event—it takes years,” said Morgan Loomis, Vice President of Disaster Response and Recovery for Good360. “We’ve shown up for Rosebud families repeatedly: distributing products in the immediate aftermath, returning six months later as they moved into new rentals, and creating opportunities for students to play, reconnect with their community, and focus on their mental health. Real recovery requires comprehensive, long-term support.”
Why Long-Term Support Matters
One year later, Rosebud Academy is still searching for a permanent facility. Families are still working to regain stability. Students are still adapting to temporary spaces.
“We really want people to stay with us on this journey until we get to the place where we find our own facility,” Brown emphasized. “Good360 has really been with us along this journey, and we cannot thank them enough for all of the continued support.”
The Rosebud community’s resilience is extraordinary, but resilience shouldn’t require fighting alone. As we mark one year since the LA wildfires, we’re reminded that disaster recovery doesn’t end when the headlines fade. For students, teachers, and families at Rosebud Academy, the work of rebuilding continues—and Good360 remains committed to walking alongside them every step of the way.
About Good360’s Response
One year after the LA wildfires, Good360 has supported more than 400,000 individuals and 43 nonprofit partners on the ground and distributed over $57 million in essential goods to affected communities. Good360 continues to support communities impacted by the fires, ensuring that recovery efforts remain strong and that families have access to the resources they need to rebuild and thrive.
