Whitney Chan redefines the meaning of “home” as she helps Altadena rebuild in the aftermath of the January 2025 Eaton Fire.
Following the birth of their daughter, Whitney Chan and her husband Michael relocated from Los Angeles to Altadena in 2021, seeking a more tranquil place to raise their child and be closer to their families. For Whitney, a Senior Manager of Global Employer Brand and Talent Attraction at AECOM, Altadena offered the charm of a small town distinct from the bustle of Los Angeles.
“Altadena felt so different from LA,” Whitney remarked. “It felt special.”
The Chans’ lives wove naturally into the tight-knit community. In mid-December 2024, Whitney and her husband were settled in as official homeowners, purchasing their beloved home from their former landlord. Just weeks later, change swept through Altadena on fast winds.
On January 7, 2025, the Eaton Fire broke out, becoming the second-most destructive wildfire in California history. It decimated over 6,000 homes and displaced more than 32,000 Altadena residents. The Chan family home is the only one left standing on their block. Though still structurally intact, the house is uninhabitable. The Chans hadn’t even had a chance to make their first mortgage payment. Just as devasting, their once-lively neighborhood now stands silent and empty.
“My daughter’s magical pre-school is gone and most of her schoolmates have lost their homes,” Whitney said. “Our wonderful neighbors, our favorite coffee shops, restaurants […] our entire community is gone.”
In the immediate aftermath, technology became a lifeline for the community. Through group text messaging and social apps, Whitney and her neighbors connected and navigated the chaos together. Through those early days, Whitney was moved by the overwhelming spirit of mutual support and solidarity, spurring her desire to help. Through Instagram, she signed up to become a Neighborhood Captain with the local community-based organization, Altagether.
As a Neighborhood Captain, Whitney joined a network of volunteers who meet biweekly to help keep Altadena residents informed, supported and empowered during the recovery process. She is responsible for about 40 people in her neighborhood zone, communicating regularly, coordinating support and resource sharing, and assisting with rebuilding challenges. She and several other fellow captains are also investigating mental health and self-care resources — starting with themselves to better support others.
In the immediate aftermath, technology became a lifeline for the community. Through group text messaging and social apps, Whitney and her neighbors connected and navigated the chaos together. Through those early days, Whitney was moved by the overwhelming spirit of mutual support and solidarity, spurring her desire to help. Through Instagram, she signed up to become a Neighborhood Captain with the local community-based organization, Altagether.
As a Neighborhood Captain, Whitney joined a network of volunteers who meet biweekly to help keep Altadena residents informed, supported and empowered during the recovery process. She is responsible for about 40 people in her neighborhood zone, communicating regularly, coordinating support and resource sharing, and assisting with rebuilding challenges. She and several other fellow captains are also investigating mental health and self-care resources — starting with themselves to better support others.
Whitney acknowledges the long road ahead for her family and neighbors. Her own house is still standing but smoke, fire damage, and toxic contaminants have ruined all their possessions and rendered the house inhabitable. (A recent soil test from the yard showed the lead level was six times higher than safe levels.) The first remediation estimate the Chans received was for $75,000. Their insurance company’s offer is $3,500.
Her involvement with Altagether has been a vital source of strength, helping her cope with both her family’s loss and the uncertainty they face. For Whitney, home has become the people she loves and the community she serves.
“No matter where I am, if I’m with my family — that’s home,” Whitney shared. “Altadena may never be the same after the fire, but the people are still my home. We may be scattered in different places now, but in spirit, we’re still together.”