FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 9, 2026
MEDIA CONTACT: Cristina Valdivia, cristina.valdivia@cv.ca.gov, 916-508-9018
State Leaders Join LA Rises and Habitat for Humanity for Volunteer Day Marking One Year Since Fires
State leaders and California Volunteers helped San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity rebuild fire impacted homes in Altadena, demonstrating California’s commitment to recovery through service, partnership and community action.
ALTADENA, Calif. — State leaders joined San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity today in Altadena for a volunteer day focused on rebuilding and recovery efforts one year after fires devastated the community. The event was part of the LA Rises’ “We Show Up” Week of action, bringing together Angelenos to support long-term recovery in fire-impacted neighborhoods.
Josh Fryday, Governor’s Office of Service and Community Engagement (GO-Serve) Director and California Chief Service Officer, and Dee Dee Myers, Senior Advisor to Governor Newsom and Director of the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz), and California Service Corps members volunteered alongside community members at a Habitat for Humanity build site, highlighting California’s continued commitment to rebuilding stronger, more resilient communities.
A California Service Corps member takes part in a volunteer day to support long-term recovery efforts in fire-impacted neighborhoods in Los Angeles.
The volunteer day also spotlighted Governor Gavin Newsom’s recent announcement of $1.5 million in LA Rises funding, distributed through the California Fire Foundation to Habitat for Humanity. The funding will support the construction of 25 new homes and repair of 12 additional homes in Altadena, with a focus on fire-resistant design and resilience against future wildfires.
“Today’s volunteer effort reflects the spirit of Californians showing up for one another — not just in moments of crisis, but throughout the road to recovery,” said California Chief Service Officer and GO-Serve Director Josh Fryday. “This work is about rebuilding homes, restoring hope and strengthening communities for the future.”
GO-Biz Director Dee Dee Myers and GO-Serve Director Josh Fryday join California Service Corps members at San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity volunteer day in Altadena.
Dee Dee Myers emphasized the importance of partnerships in recovery efforts. “Public-private collaboration is critical to rebuilding communities after disasters,” Myers said. “Through LA Rises and partnerships with groups like Habitat for Humanity, we are helping Angelenos return home and we will continue to show up for these communities into year two of recovery.”
LA Rises’ “We Show Up” campaign week of action marks one year since the fires and underscores the ongoing recovery work happening across Los Angeles. For more information on how to show up for fire-impacted communities, check out LARises.org/we-show-up.
AmeriCorps California members’ efforts at the volunteer day help rebuilding and recovery efforts one year after fires devastated the community.
The State continues to advance a comprehensive fire recovery strategy, pairing volunteer power with targeted investments to rebuild homes, restore local economies, and strengthen resilience against future disasters. These efforts reflect California’s commitment to recovery that is not only faster, but stronger and more equitable.
INTERVIEWS AVAILABLE IN SPANISH AND ENGLISH with GO-Serve Director Josh Fryday. Contact Cristina Valdivia, cristina.valdivia@cv.ca.gov, 916-508-9018.
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About California Volunteers, Office of the Governor
California Volunteers, under GO-Serve, empowers Californians to take action to improve their communities. California Volunteers is the state office tasked with recruiting Californians to engage in public service.
