One Altadena resident is trying to transform the painful memories of the Eaton Fire into actionable initiatives, offering a pathway for the community to rebuild and thrive. 

Freddy Sayegh, who lost his home during the wildfires, decided to start the Altadena Coalition six months ago with his sister in an effort to help bring together his community impacted by physical and emotional trauma.

“Altadena came together and bonded like a family, and those who could help stepped up to help,” Sayegh said. “There is this new relationship with someone from Altadena, as if you are part of a new club. You are part of a new identity.”

Their organization hosts events at the Woodbury Co-Op Center in Altadena, which includes workshops, weekly meetings, connecting neighbors with services and providing resources on how to navigate the aftermath. 

In January 2025, the Eaton Fire destroyed thousands of homes and businesses, forcing many residents to navigate insurance hurdles to housing insecurity, which Sayegh said was a catalyst for him and his sister to start the coalition. 

“It became a driving force for me and my sister to help. It’s that or be a victim of a fire,” Sayegh said. 

Sayegh’s parent’s, four siblings and relatives also lived and worked in Altadena, but the fires caused many of them to be displaced across Los Angeles County, forcing them to find temporary housing while they waited to rebuild. Before the fires, Sayegh’s family were tightly knit where they would host large family celebrations at his parents’ home. 

“The hardest part is the displacement of all my family members, from West Covina to Temple City to Monrovia, all my nephews,” Sayegh said. “We just don’t see each other much anymore because it’s been very very difficult to get everyone together.”

The aftermath of the fire has caused many Altadena residents to endure every difficult step of recovery, revealing how unprepared the community was. Sayegh said he’s now committed to make Altadena an example of what’s possible after a disaster.

“It should be eco friendly, fire, wind and flood resistant, we should implement all forms of renewable energy, we should have a vibrant downtown and a walking district,” Sayegh said. “The dream is to build new memories for the next generation and the future.”