As Los Angeles battles the devastation of widespread wildfires, a grassroots effort led by local organizer Ashley Taylor is stepping up to support Black girls in Pasadena and Altadena who have lost everything.
Taylor, a TV manager and community advocate, is focusing on middle and high-school-aged girls, providing them with essential hygiene and hair care products to help restore a sense of normalcy during this traumatic time.
Many families in these predominantly Black communities are struggling to afford basic necessities, making this initiative a vital lifeline.
The campaign encourages donations of hygiene items such as body wash, soap, deodorant, toothpaste, and feminine hygiene products. Beauty products like lip balm, skincare essentials, and light makeup, along with hair care items such as shampoo, conditioner, hair oils, and styling tools, are also being collected.
“These young girls deserve to feel cared for and dignified, even in the face of loss,” Taylor said.
An Amazon wish list has been created for supporters to contribute directly, ensuring that all items reach the affected families.
The initiative comes as the region grapples with staggering losses: over 12,000 structures destroyed, 24 lives lost, and the Palisades Fire—the origin of many blazes—only 21% contained as of Wednesday.
Through collective action, the community is not only addressing immediate needs but also helping these young girls rebuild their confidence and sense of self.