news & events

January 10, 2025

California Wildfire Support Groups and Emotional Coping Resources

California Wildfire Disaster Support Groups

In response to the ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles County, SHARE! will continue staying open to provide emotional support through Self-Help Support Groups to help with recovery from addiction, trauma, loss, depression, and mental health issues in person at SHARE! Culver City and Downtown Los Angeles, and on Zoom. In addition, SHARE! provides free meeting space for any 12-step or related meetings for those who have been displaced from their regular meeting space.

Download Flyer here.

Support Group for Those Affected by the Fires

SHARE! is hosting hybrid Disaster Support Groups online and at our Culver City location. These free meetings are aimed at providing a safe, compassionate space for individuals to process their experiences and emotions during difficult times.

Tuesdays at 1:00 pm
Tuesdays at 8:00 pm
Fridays at 1:00 pm
Fridays at 6:00 pm
Saturdays at 10:00 am

Zoom ID: 817 6512 0563
Passcode: 159542

In-person at SHARE!
6666 Green Valley Circle
Culver City, CA 90230 (Map)
(310) 305-8878

SHARE! remains open with all regularly scheduled support groups at SHARE! Culver City, SHARE! Downtown Los Angeles, and online. Click here for the meeting directory.

Free Meeting Space

SHARE! Culver City is offering free meeting spaces for in-person and hybrid self-help support groups that have lost their spaces to the LA County fires. For available meeting times, contact Suzy Herbert at suzy@shareselfhelp.org or call (626) 559-9768. Additional meeting space will be available in our Downtown LA office the week of January 19. Contact Suzy to see if our outreach team can bring a group to your location. Click subscribe to join the mailing list.

Please consider donating by using the Donate button (credit/debit cards accepted).

Donations can also be made by texting share to 243725.

Managing Emotional Distress

Allow yourself time to adjust and process emotions.
Seek support from counselors or support groups if needed.
Limit news exposure to reduce stress.
Maintain regular routines like meals, exercise, and enjoyable activities.
Focus on positive aspects of life and practice gratitude.
Avoid major decisions during high-stress periods.
Volunteer to help others and foster a sense of purpose.
Be gentle with yourself and accept your emotions as part of healing.
Practice healthy habits like eating well, exercising, and resting adequately.
Avoid alcohol and drugs to manage emotional distress effectively.

Mental Health & Addiction Support Groups

SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline: Call 1-800-985-5990 or text “TalkWithUs” to 66746.
988 Life Line — If you need to talk, Life Line is here. 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call 988 Text 988 Chat Deaf/HoH
SHARE! Self-Help Support Groups: Meetings available in Culver City, Downtown Los Angeles, and online. There are 100+ 12-step and various other meetings available daily. Click here for the meeting directory.

Strategies for Maintaining Sobriety

Stay in touch with your sponsor or recovery friends.
Join virtual meetings hosted by groups like Alcoholics Anonymous.
Use recovery literature and daily affirmations to stay grounded.
Incorporate prayer, meditation, or journaling into your routine.
Practice mindfulness with apps like Calm or Headspace.
Engage in enjoyable activities to recharge.
Access therapy through telehealth services or local counseling options.

Emergency Resources

LAFD Updates: https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents
WatchDuty: https://www.watchduty.org
LA Wildfire Info: https://211la.org/LA-Wildfires
Air Quality Guide: https://laist.com/news/climate-environment/air-quality-los-angeles-fires

Evacuation Centers

Westwood Recreation Center 1350 S Sepulveda Blvd. Westwood (accepts small animals
Pasadena Convention Center 300 E Green St. Pasadena
El Camino Real Charter High School 5440 Valley Circle Blvd. Woodland Hills
Pierce College 6201 Winnetka Ave. Woodland Hills (accepts large animals)

Shelter and Housing

American Red Cross: Provides evacuation centers with shelter and medical care.
Airbnb.org: Offers temporary housing through the Open Homes initiative.
With so many Angelenos under evacuation orders and first responders coming in from all over the country, this is a way to open your home if you are able. Click here to learn more about how you can host through Airbnb to offer free stays to people in times of crisis.
EmergencyRV provides urgently needed shelter to first responders and victims of wildfires or other natural disasters They accept 5th wheels, motorhomes, teardrops and travel trailers/toy haulers in good working condition. Click here to learn more.

Food, Water and Supplies

World Central Kitchen: Distributes meals to those affected.
The LA Regional Food Bank a part of ENLA and is reaching out to their network of more than 600 partner agencies to assess their needs, and if they are in an evacuation area, if they continue to operate. The Food Bank is accepting financial donations and food donations at their two distribution centers from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, located at: 1734 East 41st Street; Los Angeles, California 90058 –and– 2300 Pellissier Place; Industry, CA 90601. The Food Bank continues to accept volunteers. For more information, go to LAFoodBank.org/volunteer.
World Central Kitchen’s Relief Team is in Southern California to support first responders and families impacted by wildfires in the Los Angeles area. Their teams and partners have mobilized across the region to provide nourishing meals to people in need. Click here to sign up to volunteer or learn more.
Help people get connected to food and supplies via No Res Gourmet. There are 3 Ways You Can Volunteer – Help us cook, package, and distribute meals. Donate Funds – 100% of donations go directly to fire relief and are tax-deductible. Drop-Off Supplies – Bring essential food, prep items, and care supplies to our drop-off location. Click here for more details and lists of items needed.
YMCA is currently accepting donations. For more info visit ymcala.org.
Project Angel Food is seeking immediate volunteers for both delivery and in the kitchen over the next several days. Contact Volunteers@angelfood.org to get started.
Donations being accepted at Thrive Collective, 2905 Stanford Ave. Marina Del Rey. Mickey fine Pharmacy is open to help people affected by the fires who evacuated without their medication call Mickey Fine Pharmacy. 310-271-6123
Pasadena Community Job Center is looking for volunteers – call 626-440-0112 for details and before bringing donations. You can also get updates on Instagram @daylabornetwork. Supplies available between 10am-6pm. All activities at 500 N. Lake Ave, Pasadena, CA.
Christy’s Foundation will need volunteers to come and help give groceries, food on the go and essentials to families Monday 1/13 through Thursday 1/16 between 10am-2pm. Location is on the first floor in the Northridge Mall. Visit them on the web to connect but they’re ready for people to just show up.
Flintridge Retreat Center is asking folks to volunteer your time or drop off needed items (Water, children and adult diapers, baby bottles, deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, packed snacks, gift cards for food) at 236 W Mountain Ave, Pasadena, CA 91103. Contact 626-314-4256 kinginme2020@gmail.com with questions.
La Canada Congregational Church is collecting feminine hygiene products, masks, new (packaged) socks/underwear, children’s games and books, luggage. They need help receiving donations: Monday-Friday, 8am to 1030am; help distributing donations Monday-Friday, 2:30pm to 5pm. Click here to express interest in helping.
La Canada Congregational Church is collecting feminine hygiene products, masks, new (packaged) socks/underwear, children’s games and books, luggage. They need help receiving donations: Monday-Friday, 8am to 1030am; help distributing donations Monday-Friday, 2:30pm to 5pm. Click here to express interest in helping.

Family Support

National Emergency Child Care Network provides free emergency child care to families impacted by the wildfires. Emergency Child Care Volunteers deploy to a family’s home, to a disaster shelter, or a pop-up childcare center at a work space to provide immediate child care when all schools and childcare shut down due to a disaster. Volunteers must be 18+, have reliable transportation, pass a background check and attend a 2-hour training. Click here to express your interest in assisting.
KAUSE is a small non-profit looking for shoes of all sizes for kids impacted by the fires. Contact KAUSE directly for drop off at 424-248-7475 or by email kause-losangeles@hotmail.com.
BreastfeedLA is committed to ensuring that parents have the resources and knowledge they need to care for their little ones. Donate unused/new lactation supplies, diapers, wipes, new car seats, menstrual products. Also looking for volunteers. Click here to express your interest in assisting/donating.
Salvation Army: Distributes clothing and essentials.

Clothing and Essential Supplies

Baby2Baby: Provides diapers, clothing, and hygiene products.
Salvation Army: Distributes clothing and essentials.

Day Center and Resource Center

Vintage Faith Foursquare Church – 12688 W Washington Blvd. Culver City, CA 90066
Salvation Army: Distributes clothing and essentials.

Animal Sheltering

Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control: Offers emergency shelter for pets and large animals.
Provide resources to the Pasadena Humane Society and help animals impacted by the fires. While monetary donations are their most immediate need, they also need crates, water and food dishes, food, leashes, blankets which can be dropped at a bin in front of their office at 361 S. Raymond Ave.Pasadena, CA 91105. Additionally people who can foster for at least one week, especially large dogs should contact foster@pasadenahumane.org.
Offer temporary foster care for dogs displaced by the fires. You can apply to temporarily house an affected dog by filling out an online form to assist the Canine Rescue Club, a network of caregivers who foster dogs awaiting their forever home.
Best Friends Animal Society looking for volunteers to help foster animals. For more information, contact Best Friends at FosterLA@bestfriends.org.
Wetlands and Wildlife Care Center is in dire need of an oxygen concentrator and funds to buy necessary medical supplies for burn victims and husbandry for exotic animals they don’t typically see. They also want people to know that if you find injured wildlife text a photo with as much information as possible to their wildlife hotline: 626- 344-1129; Monetary donations are also being accepted at this link.
Vet Hospital –housing animals that need to be evacuated. Email drannieawc@gmail.com.

Additional Support

California Fire Foundation: Provides financial assistance to those affected.
Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation: Supports firefighters through donations.