Monday, August 11, 2025

The Eaton Fire Destroyed Everything She Built. 25 Years Into Her Nonprofit, She’s Starting Over

Altadena nonprofit founder lost her home and headquarters but refuses to abandon the children her music program serves

When the Eaton Fire swept through Altadena, it took everything Azita Milanian had built: her home, her nonprofit’s headquarters, and thousands of important documents chronicling her work teaching music and dance to Los Angeles County children.

Now, Children of One Planet’s founder is rebuilding — marking the organization’s 25th anniversary not with celebration, but with recovery efforts.

“To make up for what was lost, this year we will be hosting an entire series of events to celebrate Children of One Planet’s 25th anniversary,” Milanian said, her organization’s entire physical infrastructure reduced to ash.

The fire destroyed thousands of important documents and donated goods meant for the children the nonprofit serves through its partnership with the Los Angeles Parks and Recreation Department. The organization provides professional dance and music instruction designed to foster confidence, discipline, and social skills among participants across Los Angeles County.

Despite losing everything, Milanian continues operating programs for children displaced by the same fire that destroyed her headquarters. The first rebuilding effort, a “Music for Hope America: Love Guides You Back Home” fundraiser, will take place August 21 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Western Justice Center, 55 S Grand Ave, Pasadena.

The event will feature performances by local musicians and singers, with mocktails and international hors d’oeuvres catered by local restaurants.

All proceeds will directly support the Music for Hope America program, which serves children across Los Angeles County and those displaced by the recent fire.

For mre information, visit https://childrenofoneplanet.org/