L.A. Fires: Resources and Relief for Affected Families and Students

The ongoing fires in Los Angeles have caused significant hardship for many families, leaving them with questions about the future, education, and recovery. At Young Scholars, we are committed to helping families and students in these difficult times by providing guidance, resources, and support to help navigate the challenges ahead. Whether you need help accessing emergency resources, continuing your education, or staying on track with college applications, we are here to assist.

If you or your family are currently working with Young Scholars and need assistance, please reach out to one of our representatives by clicking the link here.

Key Takeaways

• Students facing challenges due to the fires, including concerns over continuing their education or college applications, can access virtual learning platforms, contact admissions representatives, and request financial aid reconsideration.
• Many organizations, such as the American Red Cross, Baby2Baby, Uber, Lyft, and more, are providing immediate relief to those impacted.
• If you're looking to help, consider donating, volunteering, or spreading awareness about these important relief efforts.

Support for Students' Continued Education
As the fires continue to impact Los Angeles, students—particularly high school seniors—are facing disruptions to their education and questions about how this crisis will affect their academic future. Rest assured, universities and colleges recognize the difficulties caused by such disasters and are offering support to help students stay on track.

Continuing Coursework
For students whose schooling has been interrupted, there are several online platforms where they can continue their education, including:

• UCLA Extension
• Laurel Springs School
• BYU Independent Study

Requesting a Financial Aid Reconsideration
If your family has experienced significant financial hardship due to the fires, you can request a financial aid reconsideration from the schools to which you’ve applied or been admitted. Admissions offices are often willing to review your situation and may adjust your financial aid package based on extenuating circumstances.
Additionally, don’t forget to update your address on your Federal Student Aid profile. Click here for instructions on how to make address changes after submitting your FAFSA form.

Requesting Deadline Extensions
Some colleges may extend their application deadlines for students affected by the fires. If you are applying to colleges with January deadlines, contact the admissions office to inquire about the possibility of an extension, especially if you’ve lost access to technology or quiet workspaces due to the fires. If you know your assigned admissions representative, consider reaching out directly to them with a polite request for an extension. Below is a sample email to help guide your communication:

Subject: Request for Application Extension Due to Impact of Fires
Fall 2025 Applicant: Student name
Applicant ID:
DOB:

Dear [Admissions Office or Admissions Representative Name],
I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to inform you that my family and I have been significantly impacted by the recent [fire name] in California. As a result, we have lost our home, and my ability to continue with my academic responsibilities has been disrupted.
I would like to request an extension for my application deadline, as this crisis has made it difficult to meet the original timeline. I have updated my temporary contact information with the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid.
I remain committed to continuing my education and would greatly appreciate your understanding and assistance during this challenging time.
Thank you for your consideration. Please let me know if you need any further documentation or information from me.
Sincerely,
[Your Full Name]
[High School Name, Class of 2025]

Stay Informed on College Updates and Potential Delays
In addition to reaching out to admissions offices, it's important to stay updated by checking official college websites and social media accounts. Some schools in the affected areas, such as Pepperdine University and Caltech, have had to evacuate staff and students due to the fires, leading to possible delays in processing applications or responding to queries.

L.A.-Area Emergency Services and Relief Resources
For families affected by the fires, several organizations are stepping up to provide critical resources, shelter, and support.
American Red Cross & FEMA

• The American Red Cross and FEMA are offering emergency shelter, food, medical care, and more to those in need.

Baby2Baby

• Baby2Baby is distributing essential supplies, including diapers, formula, hygiene products, and bottled water, to children and families impacted by the disaster.

California Fire Foundation

• The California Fire Foundation provides long-term relief for fire survivors and support for emergency personnel.

Animal Wellness Center & Animal Care & Control

• The Animal Wellness Center has been providing care for displaced pets, and  Animal Care & Control is  working to offer emergency shelter for animals affected by the fires.

Airbnb.org, Uber, & Lyft

• Uber is providing free rides to survivors, up to $40, through January 15, 2025. Instructions on how to claim this offer can be found here.
• Lyft is offering two free rides worth up to $25 each using the code "CAFIRERELIEF25".
• Airbnb.org is partnering with 211 LA to offer free, temporary housing in several affected areas. To request assistance, fill out this form.

Planet Fitness

• Planet Fitness has opened select locations offering free access to lockers, showers, Wi-Fi, and more. To review participating locations, click here.

Verizon

• Verizon is waiving charges for calls, texts, and data usage in the affected counties and has contributed $1 million to emergency response efforts.

How to Help Affected Families
If you want to assist those impacted by the L.A. fires, there are many ways you can help:

• American Red Cross: Make a financial donation or volunteer to support recovery efforts.
• Baby2Baby: Contribute to the distribution of essential supplies to vulnerable children.
• Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation: Donate to support firefighters and emergency personnel.
• Los Angeles Regional Food Bank: Donate food or volunteer at local locations.

Final Thoughts
The road to recovery for L.A. residents will be long, but every bit of support counts. We at Young Scholars remain committed to helping families and students navigate these challenging times. As the situation continues to evolve, we will provide updated information and resources to support you. If you are struggling with academic concerns or need help connecting to resources, please reach out to us for guidance. 
Together, we can face these challenges and work toward recovery.