Tuesday, January 13, 2026

Altadena Groundbreaking Launches New Long-Term Eaton Fire Recovery Center

Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger joined CORE (Community Organized Relief Effort), U.S. Representative Judy Chu, Anthem, the Los Angeles County Development Authority and community partners on Saturday, January 10 to celebrate the groundbreaking of The Center for Community, a new long-term recovery hub for Eaton Fire survivors in Altadena, according to a press release.

The 1,600-square-foot Center for Community is being built on County-owned land at 2231 Lincoln Avenue and was designed by Shigeru Ban Architects. The release states the center will offer mental health services, educational workshops and community programming as families continue rebuilding after the Eaton Fire.

“I am proud to support this important project,” Barger said in the statement. “The establishment of a long-term case management service hub for Eaton Fire survivors marks a critical next step in Altadena’s recovery. This center will be especially important for West Altadena, providing a dedicated space on County-owned land for healing, resilience, and connection. Together, we are laying the foundation for a stronger community.”

The groundbreaking marked one year since the Eaton Fire and, according to the release, commemorated a year of response and recovery efforts while signaling the next phase of long-term rebuilding.

Ann Lee, co-founder and CEO of CORE, said in the release that the past year showed “the toughness of Los Angeles County” and that “recovery does not end when the immediate crisis passes.” She said the Center for Community represents “the next phase of recovery” and described it as a permanent, people-centered space where individuals can access support, rebuild stability and reconnect. Lee added that with “the vast majority of homeowners still displaced,” CORE’s commitment “must deepen.”

Speakers included Les Ybarra, president of Anthem Blue Cross Medi-Cal Health Plan; Rep. Chu; Barger; and Emilio Salas, executive director of the Los Angeles County Development Authority.

According to the release, CORE’s immediate post-fire response included distributing N95 masks, hygiene kits, feminine products, power banks and air filters, and managing a child-friendly space at evacuation shelters. CORE also partnered with Los Angeles County on debris removal and launched Cash and Voucher Assistance to help families meet urgent needs. Its Disaster Case Management program has supported survivors navigating FEMA, insurance claims and rebuilding.

The Center for Community follows the October opening of The Hub, CORE’s local resource center in Altadena that provides case management, referrals and ongoing recovery support. Dedicated case managers assist residents with insurance, financing, planning and design, and connect families to legal, housing and health resources.

To date, CORE has delivered more than $3 million in cash assistance to affected families and supported debris cleanup, housing navigation and insurance assistance, the release states. Approximately 90% of homeowners remain displaced. CORE’s five-year recovery initiative is supported by Anthem, the California Community Foundation, Los Angeles County and its Development Authority, the SoCal Fire Fund and private donors.

“Anthem took the lead with a multi-million-dollar commitment to aid communities in responding to and recovering from the devastating fires, emphasizing that recovery is crucial to health,” Ybarra said in the release. “Housing stability, financial security, and community connection are vital for wellbeing.”

Rep. Chu said she was “deeply grateful” to CORE for its support over the past year and thanked CORE’s co-founders Sean Penn and Ann Lee, Barger and the Development Authority for their leadership in making the Lincoln Lot groundbreaking possible. She said she has seen CORE’s impact firsthand through cash assistance, essential items, debris removal and smoke remediation, adding that “CORE’s work has saved lives.”

Salas said LACDA has been part of the West Altadena community since 1982 and is “very excited to mobilize services on this County-owned property and continue to be part of building better lives and better neighborhoods in Altadena.”