On the anniversary of the deeply traumatic fires of last year it’s an emotional time of reflection. The Palisades and Eaton wildfires last January were the costliest natural disaster in US history, and the human toll is even larger. Tragically, over thirty lost their lives in the fires, and tens of thousands were impacted severely – family homes and cherished belongings, places of business, and entire communities lost. 

From day one, the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles, the Center for Community Well-Being, committed to utilizing our resources and spaces for support. We immediately activated every center and engaged with over 30,000 volunteers. To date, we have been a part of helping over 90,000 Angelenos on their path to healing – and we aren’t done. 

We are proud to share that the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles will continue important fire-response benefits for all impacted families through 2026. 

Through this extension, impacted households will continue to have access to benefits such as:  

• Free YMCA membership with access to all LA Y centers  

• Free childcare and priority placement in youth programs  

• Free day camp and one week of sleep-away camp for children  

• Free mental health support and therapy events 
• Additional support, resource events, subsidized memberships, case management, and more. 

We thank all our staff, volunteers, and community members for helping us help those in need, and we will continue to be a cornerstone for our communities. We are honored to be able to support our LA region as we continue to heal and rebuild.   

Together we are making a difference. 
Be Well. Do Good. Lead Change.