Few collective experiences celebrated around the world inspire goal setting, demonstrate the power of teamwork and teach the value in reaching for dreams as powerfully as the Olympics. And with Los Angeles set to host the games in 2028, this summer is the perfect time to start making Olympic-sized memories with our children.

Big dreams begin at home

I first became a fan of the Olympics in the summer of 1976, when I gathered with my friends to watch Queen Elizabeth proclaim the opening of the Montreal Olympic Games. The kids in my neighborhood decided to host our own “backyard Olympics.” Apparently, I wasn’t the only child inspired by those games. Olympic track and field gold medalist Jackie Joyner-Kersee said, “It wasn’t until I was 14 and watched the 1976 Olympic games on television that I really started to dream about the big time.” Watching UCLA’s Evelyn Ashford compete in the 100-meters dash inspired Joyner-Kersee to also become a Bruin and eventually compete and medal in four Olympics.

Back in the ‘70s, we turned the shiny insides of Peter Pan peanut butter jars into gold medals. We covered Smucker’s jelly lids with tin foil to make the silver medals.  Bronze medal recipients received brown construction paper circles with BRONZE written on them in black crayon. We threw a broomstick javelin and a baking potato shotput, measured our long jumps with yardsticks and were covered in grass following our summersault-filled floor exercises.

The memories we made have lasted a lifetime, which is why I’ve continued the tradition with my own children every four years, including last summer when, in between watching the events in Paris, relatives and friends who happened by our house stood a chance to medal in kickboard races in the pool, water polo with a Vaseline-covered watermelon or a USA version of P-I-G at our local basketball court. We even played a round of Olympic Yahtzee.

The good news is you don’t have to wait for the games to come to L.A. to get in on the action. Here are a few fun activities you can do this summer to inspire your aspiring athletes to get moving and dreaming of going for the gold!

New ways to get active

Run by L.A.’s Department of Recreation and Parks, PlayLA is set to impact more than one million kids by the time the 2028 Olympic torch is lit. It boasts a broad array of youth athletic programs, including 26 Olympic and 10 Paralympic sports. Local public pools are not just for swimming. Many also offer water polo, synchronized swimming and kayaking lessons. Flag football will be a new Olympic sport in 2028, and multiple locations offer classes and leagues to join.

Inclusivity for every young athlete

Most summer leagues and clinics through PlayLA kick off July 7. Go to laparks.org/play-la to register for these low- to no-cost sports supported by a $160 million investment from LA28 and the International Olympic Committee.

Though Los Angeles hosted the Olympic Games in 1932 and 1984, the 2028 Olympics will mark L.A.’s first time ever also hosting the Paralympic Games and, with that in mind, the adaptive sports offerings by PlayLA are robust, including tennis, para-equestrian opportunities and wheelchair basketball.

“PlayLA Youth and Adaptive Youth Sports Program has transformed the way we deliver sports to our youth,” says Department of Recreation and Parks General Manager Jimmy Kim. “We have been able to provide access to high-quality, inclusive and affordable Olympic and Paralympic style sports for kids. This movement reflects the spirit of the Games and ensures that this generation grows up with the opportunity to play, compete and dream in their own communities.”

Days and evenings full of fun

Summer Night Lights (SNL) is the extended recreation program at 40 public park sites across the city. Families and teens can enjoy a variety of activities with extended evening hours Thursdays through Saturdays, often including free food and movie nights. South Park, Hubert Humphrey and Costello recreation centers all have SNL kickoff events slated for July 10.

PlayLA Day – July 14 will mark three years until the opening ceremonies of the 2028 Olympics, and PlayLA will celebrate with a free event from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., offering Olympic-inspired activities for kids and families at L.A. Memorial Coliseum (the first venue in the world to host three Olympic Opening Ceremonies!). Registration is required. Go to laparks.org and search “PlayLA Day.”

Attention older kids –PlayLAis hiring coaches, especially for specialty sports such as skateboarding, fencing and archery. For more information, contact PlayLA via email at rap.playla@lacity.org.

GAME ON! Science, Sports & Play – Just across Exposition Park from the iconic Coliseum, you’ll find GAME ON! Science, Sports & Play, an all-new interactive exhibit at the California Science Center. Aspiring young Olympians can participate in hands-on activities and learn the science behind success.

“GAME ON! is engaging from the moment you enter the colorful space,” says Alyson Goodall, senior vice president and chief advancement officer for the California Science Center Foundation. “It’s incredibly immersive and interactive, and a wonderful opportunity for children to practice skills for familiar sports or try something new, all with virtual guidance from mentor athletes and rooted in core science principles.”          

Imagine practicing your swing and having Dodgers first baseman and World Series Champion Freddie Freeman offer tips on how to plant your feet with video playback! How about virtually swimming alongside Paralympian Jamal Hill as he demonstrates the physics of thrust, drag, buoyancy and gravity that helped him win his bronze medal?  How cool would it be if your soccer-loving child could get kicking advice from Angel City FC’s sister duo Alyssa and Gisele Thompson? And then there is “Lethal Shooter” Chris Matthews, who has worked as a shooting coach for numerous WNBA and NBA standouts. At GAME ON!, young athletes can learn the science behind the flight path speed of a basketball and test the arc and angle of their own shots.

“One of the best parts,” adds Goodall, “is that even if you’re not the one doing the activity, kids are gathering around, cheering each other on as they explore the science and test their skills.”

Thanks to the collaboration between the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation, the LA84 Foundation and the Walter Family Foundation, the 17,000-square-feet exhibition is included with free admission to the California Science Center, though groups of 15 or more need timed reservations. Call 213.744.2019 or visit californiasciencecenter.org.

Your own backyard or local park

If you want to stay closer to home, why not bring the games to your own yard or a nearby park and use these easy ideas as inspiration?

1. Jar lids can be spray painted gold, silver and bronze if you want to get crafty while recycling and repurposing with your kids. Don’t have lids, ribbons or time? Many companies offer easy options. Visit orientaltrading.com for starters.  
2. Got a ping pong table or badminton set? Encourage your children to work on their skills throughout the summer with a friendly competition planned before school begins again.
3. If you have a pool for diving or a grassy space for a gymnastics floor exercise, make the judge’s score cards, make a list of moves that earn points and let kids rate the moves they like best.
4. Set up races down the sidewalk or around a park path. Let kids who don’t want to run keep the times.

Making summer memories shine

There is still time to get your young gymnasts and synchronized swimmers, weightlifters and badminton champions to put down their electronics and start dreaming of gold.

It might be one of their favorite memories of the summer of 2025, and it might get them thinking about what sports they’d like to see in person when the Olympics come to town in just three summers!

Suzanne Weerts is an author, teacher and producer who loves sports but is far more effective as a fan than an athlete. 

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Submitted by the team at Luskin Orthopaedic Institute for Children

As summer winds down and kids gear up for the fall sports season, excitement is in the air — and so is the risk of injury. Each year, millions of young athletes experience sports-related injuries, many of which are preventable with proper preparation. Whether your child participates in football, soccer, volleyball or cross-country, preparing strategically during the preseason can significantly reduce the risk of injuries that sideline kids and disrupt seasons.

Here are three evidence-based tips every parent should consider to help their athlete start the season strong and finish injury-free.

1. Ease Into Training: Gradual Progression Prevents Overload

One of the most common causes of preseason and early season injuries is doing too much too soon. After a summer of relatively light activity levels, young athletes may jump into intense practices, conditioning or scrimmages — putting their bodies at risk for “acute overload” injuries like tendinitis, stress fractures and muscle strains.

Research shows that a rapid increase in training load is a key risk factor for injury in youth sports. A study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine recommends increasing training volume by no more than 10% per week to allow the body time to adapt (Gabbett, 2016). This applies to both endurance-based sports like cross-country and speed-based sports like football and soccer.

Parent Tip: Encourage your child to start a structured training and conditioning program at least 4-6 weeks before the season begins, gradually increasing the intensity and duration of workouts. Activities should include aerobic fitness, speed and agility, sport-specific drills and mobility training.

2. Prioritize Sleep and Nutrition: Recovery Starts Off the Field

Recovery is just as important as training, and two of the most overlooked aspects of recovery are sleep and nutrition. Sleep plays a vital role in muscle repair, hormone regulation and reaction time. A landmark study in adolescent athletes found that those who slept less than eight hours per night were 1.7 times more likely to suffer an injury compared to their well-rested peers (Milewski et al., 2014).

Similarly, nutrition fuels performance and supports tissue recovery and repair. Inadequate overall calorie consumption, as well as protein intake, can increase the risk of bone and soft-tissue injuries, particularly in growing athletes.

Parent Tip: Help your child get 8-10 hours of sleep per night, especially during high training periods. Support balanced meals with lean protein, complex carbs, fruits and vegetables. And don’t forget hydration. Even mild dehydration can impair performance and increase injury risk.

3. Build a Foundation: Strength, Balance and Mobility Matter

Injury prevention isn’t just about avoiding collisions or rolling an ankle, it’s about preparing the body to handle the demands of sport. Studies show that incorporating a dynamic neuromuscular training program into preseason prep can significantly reduce the risk of ACL tears, ankle sprains and other injuries common in youth athletes.

A 2018 meta-analysis in Sports Medicine found that injury-prevention programs focused on strength, balance, agility and movement control reduced overall injury rates by up to 46% in adolescent athletes (Emery et al., 2015).

Parent Tip: Seek out programs or athletic-performance coaches that incorporate dynamic warm-ups, single-leg balance work, core strengthening and jump-landing mechanics. These can often be integrated into regular practices or completed at home in 15-20 minutes a few times per week.

Final Thoughts

Sports offer tremendous physical, emotional and social benefits for our children, but injuries can derail progress and discourage participation. By gradually increasing training, supporting recovery with sleep and nutrition, and integrating injury-prevention exercises, parents can play a vital role in keeping young athletes healthy and confident this fall season.

A proactive approach in the preseason can set the stage for a safer, more successful season on the field.

If you have a child who active in sports and you have questions about their training, or if they sustain an injury, the team at Luskin Orthopaedic Institute for Children in Los Angeles in standing by to help. From urgent care to sports medicine to a variety of specialists, we are here to help your family.

References:

• Gabbett, T. J. (2016). The training—injury prevention paradox: should athletes be training smarter and harder? British Journal of Sports Medicine, 50(5), 273–280. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2015-095788
  
• Milewski, M. D., et al. (2014). Chronic lack of sleep is associated with increased sports injuries in adolescent athletes. Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics, 34(2), 129–133. https://doi.org/10.1097/BPO.0000000000000151
  
• Emery, C. A., Roy, T. O., Whittaker, J. L., Nettel-Aguirre, A., & van Mechelen, W. (2015). Neuromuscular training injury prevention strategies in youth sport: a systematic review and meta-analysis. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 49(13), 865–870. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2015-094639

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This summer, local teens get to hit the gym for free.  Planet Fitness has announced the return of its annual High School Summer Pass program. Celebrating its fifth year, the initiative invites high school teens ages 14-19 to work out for free at any of its 2,700+ Planet Fitness locations throughout the U.S. and Canada.

Teens can visit PlanetFitness.com/SummerPass to register for the program with club access beginning June 1-Aug. 31. Find the club nearest you here. 

Since launching the program in 2019, Planet Fitness has invested more than $300 million in waived membership dues to promote youth health and wellness and improve the physical and mental health of millions of teens. Planet Fitness’ High School Summer Pass program has helped millions of teens establish healthy fitness habits during the summer months, a critical time when many young people lack access to organized physical activities.

To better understand what today’s teens are experiencing — and how to support them — Planet Fitness conducted a nationwide study, revealing the following key insights:

• Mental health is a major concern: 66 percent of parents are concerned about their teen’s well-being and stress levels and 72 percent of parents believe that consistent exercise can improve their teen’s mental wellness. Unfortunately, around three in five teens report their stress and anxiety are not improving and getting worse as they get older. 
• Working out is a solution: Encouragingly, 90 percent of teens say exercise helps them feel happy, with 88 percent noting improved mood after exercise.
• Exercise is more than physical health: Teens believe physical activity helps deal with emotional ups and downs of being a teenager; 93 percent agree that regular exercise is beneficial when handling challenges.
• Screen time is consuming: 81 percent of teens acknowledge that social media and video games take up a significant portion of their day. In fact, nearly four in five teens report that avoiding social media is helpful. 
• Summer brings a fitness slump: 50 percent of teens report that their fitness levels tend to decline when school is out for summer break.

“At Planet Fitness, we offer a high value experience to both our members and High School Summer Pass participants in a welcoming, judgment-free environment where everyone can get a great workout,” says Planet Fitness’ Chief Executive Officer Colleen Keating. “With free access to our clubs throughout the summer, we’re providing teens with the tools they need to develop healthy fitness habits that can last a lifetime.”

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In the bustling rhythm of Los Angeles life, parents often juggle multiple responsibilities, striving to provide the best for their children. Amidst this hustle, understanding the foundational role of attachment in a child’s development becomes paramount.

Attachment refers to the deep emotional bond that develops between a child and their caregiver. This connection lays the groundwork for a child’s sense of security and influences their social, emotional and cognitive development. Secure attachments foster confidence, resilience and the ability to form healthy relationships throughout life. Children with secure attachments often exhibit:

• Emotional Regulation: They can manage their emotions effectively, leading to fewer behavioral issues.
• Social Competence: Securely attached children tend to have better social skills, enabling them to build strong peer relationships.
• Cognitive Development: A secure base allows children to explore their environment, promoting learning and intellectual growth.

Conversely, insecure attachment styles — which may result from inconsistent, unresponsive or unpredictable caregiving — can have lasting effects. These children may struggle with:

• Anxiety and low self-esteem.
• Difficulty trusting others or forming close relationships.
• Emotional dysregulation and impulsivity.
• Academic challenges and reduced motivation.

Without early intervention or supportive relationships later in life, these patterns can persist into adulthood, influencing everything from romantic relationships to parenting styles and mental health.

Fostering Secure Attachments

Parents and caregivers can nurture secure attachments by:

• Being Responsive: Attending to a child’s needs promptly and consistently builds trust.
• Engaging in Quality Time: Shared activities and attentive interactions strengthen the parent-child bond.
• Providing a Safe Environment: A stable and predictable environment helps children feel secure and supported.

Recognizing the importance of community in parenting, we’ve established a supportive group for families seeking guidance on fostering secure attachments. This community offers resources, expert insights and a platform for shared experiences.

For parents interested in deepening their understanding and application of attachment principles, consider joining our supportive community group: www.skool.com/attachment-matters-family

Heather Thompson is the founder of Attachment Matters, LLC, dedicated to supporting families in nurturing secure attachments and promoting healthy child development.

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Young L.A. County filmmakers are on an award-winning streak. C-SPAN visited Long Beach Polytechnic High School in Long Beach on May 19 to celebrate and honor students for their prize-winning documentary filmy entries in C-SPAN’s annual student video documentary competition, StudentCam.

C-SPAN and Spectrum representatives recognized the winning students and their teacher, Jeff Montooth, who served as their StudentCam adviser, at an assembly of classmates, teachers, family members and elected officials.

For this year’s competition, C-SPAN, in cooperation with its cable and satellite television partners, asked middle and high school students to address a theme — “Your Message to the President: What issue is most important to you or your community?” In response, nearly 3,500 students from 42 states and Washington, D.C. sent more than 1,700 entries to C-SPAN.

Award-winning documentaries

Several freshmen from Poly High received top honors and cash prizes for their documentaries:

Second-Place Prize ($1,500):

Nolan Sheets, Rene Ortega and Roman Leonor, freshmen, won second prize and $1,500 for the video “Crime: Perception vs. Reality.”

Third-Place Prize ($750):

Sara Kong, a freshman, for the video “Ocean Acidification: Small Changes, Big Problems.”

Honorable Mentions ($250)

Isabella Sim and Owen Gurga, freshmen, for the video “Editing the Future: Bridging Science, Society, and Policy in Gene Editing.”

Juliet Haesly and Megan Lee, freshmen, for the video “No Means No.”

Eliza Floto and Brianna Goldstein, freshmen, for the video “The Divided States of America: Is the United States Really United?”

Natalie Hebdon, a freshman, for the video “A Safer Tomorrow: America’s Need for Enhanced Disaster Protection.”

“Congratulations to all of the incredibly talented young students who won awards in this year’s competition,” C-SPAN’s Director of Education Relations Craig McAndrew said. “Through in-depth research and interviews with an array of topical and technical experts, [they] have crafted impactful short stories that capture issues of wide public interest and importance. [Their] documentaries set a very high bar for future StudentCam filmmakers.”

C-SPAN is funded by America’s cable and satellite television companies as a commercial-free public service. In Long Beach, C-SPAN is available through Spectrum, the local partner in StudentCam. 

“As a long-time supporter of StudentCam, we are continually inspired by the curiosity and creativity students bring to C-SPAN’s annual competition,” Senior Vice President of State Government Affairs for Spectrum Adam Falk said. “The program provides a unique opportunity for young people to showcase the critical thinking, problem solving and civic engagement skills essential for informed and active communities. We celebrate this year’s winners and look forward to watching them continue to follow their passion for storytelling through this medium.”

Popular Topics Explored

Now in its 21st year, this project-based learning experience asked students to explore and analyze matters of personal, local or national importance.The most popular topics addressed were: 

• Climate, environment and land use (11%)
• K-12 education policies and the cost of college (10%)
• Health care and mental health (10%)
• Gun violence, school safety and firearm policies (9%)
• Inflation, taxes, government spending and the economy (9%)

In addition to the grand prize and first-prize winners, C-SPAN awarded 16 second prizes, 32 third prizes and 97 honorable mention prizes. The StudentCam competition has awarded more than $1.6 million in prizes since 2004. You can watch all 150 winning videos from this year’s competition at StudentCam.org.

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Food Allergy Institute is a cutting-edge clinical care and research center that is revolutionizing food allergy treatment. They are the largest food allergy treatment center of its kind and are based in Signal Hill, with additional locations in Long Beach and Signal Hill. They take a unique approach to food allergy treatment through their Tolerance Induction Program (TIP), which helps drive FAI’s mission for all children who suffer from food allergies to safely eat whatever they want.

FAI was founded by Dr. Inderpal Randhawa and recently launched “Resilience & Hope: A Food Allergy Podcast” in partnership with Lesley-Anne Stone. The podcast tells the story of Lesley-Anne’s journey with her son, Sam, through the Tolerance Induction Program at the Food Allergy Institute. Sam was diagnosed with multiple, severe life-threatening food allergies at age 1. According to Lesley, Sam started the program when he was 3 and graduated the program at 5. His food allergies are now all in remission and he lives a life of food freedom, eating whatever he wants, whenever he wants. The podcast is available on Spotify, Apple and YouTube.

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For many kids, camp is an exciting place full of adventure, laughter and new friendships. But along with the excitement comes the challenge of entering a completely new social environment—and that can be tough, especially in the first few days. From cliques to conflict resolution, campers are learning on the fly how to communicate, collaborate and connect.

Why Social Challenges Are Common at Camp

Camp is a new world, and everything from the schedule to the social dynamics can feel unfamiliar. One of the most common struggles is inclusion. Campers are figuring out how to join groups, navigate friendships that may have already formed and how to share space, take turns and resolve disagreements—often with kids they’ve just met. Different communication styles (or vibes, as the kids say) come into play, especially early on. It’s totally normal, and part of the learning process.

How to Prep Kids for These Social Situations 

One of the best things parents can do is prep their kids for common social scenarios ahead of time. Use open-ended “what-if” questions to walk through possible situations. Try questions like:

• “What would you do if someone didn’t want to share?”
• “How would you feel if a new friend didn’t include you right away?”
• “What can you do if someone says something that bothers you?”

Reassure your child that feeling nervous or unsure is completely normal—and that many other kids feel the same way, even if they don’t show it.

Practice Social Skills at Home

Little moments at home can build big skills for camp. Playing board games, taking turns and using respectful language during conflict are great ways to model the behaviors that make group settings easier. Skills like using “I feel” statements, asking for help when needed and being a gracious winner or loser are all directly transferable to camp life. These are learned skills, and the more kids get to practice them at home, the more natural they’ll feel when camp starts.

Teach Kids to Advocate for Themselves

Kids don’t always know what to say when something feels off, which is why it helps to give them simple, clear phrases ahead of time:

• “I don’t like that.”
• “Can I play, too?”
• “May I speak with my counselor?”

These small but powerful tools can help kids speak up confidently, set boundaries or seek help when they need it. It’s not tattling—it’s helping themselves build better friendships. Sometimes doing the hard thing in the moment leads to a much better day.

Support Without Solving

When your child comes home with a story of a tough day, start with empathy. Try:

• “Wow, that sounds hard. What did you try?”
• “How did that make you feel?”

Unless there’s a safety concern, resist the urge to jump in and fix it. Instead, ask if they want ideas or would like to talk to their counselor. If needed, send a quick email to the camp director—they want to help but rely on your insights to know when extra support might be needed.

When Kids Come Home Upset

Sometimes kids just need to vent. Active listening goes a long way. But if your child is consistently upset or something feels off, reach out to camp staff. Often, these situations can be resolved very quickly with just a little guidance.

Partner with Camp for a Stronger Experience

Don’t be shy about checking in with your child’s camp team. If you notice changes at home or have any concerns, a quick email or chat at pick-up can go a long way. The more they know about your child’s needs, the more they can tailor their experience to help them thrive.

Camp is more than just fun in the sun—it’s a crash course in community building, empathy and independence. While the social bumps along the way are real, they’re also part of the growth. With a little preparation and a strong partnership between home and camp, every child can find their footing—and maybe even a new friend—on their own terms.

For more information on the summer camp program at the Bay Club, click HERE. 

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In response to community needs, L.A. County Parks is transforming Loma Alta Park into a vital support center for Altadena residents affected by the Eaton fire.

Opening on May 10, the park will offer essential services for children, seniors and families, becoming a symbol of resilience and recovery. This revitalized space will not only serve those who have returned to Altadena, but also provide a connection point for residents seeking to maintain ties with their cherished community

First Altadena park to reopen

Loma Alta, the first Altadena park to reopen after the Eaton fire, will provide the following community services:  

• Space for a satellite Altadena Senior Center, which was burned in the Eaton fire. 
• Space for after-school (child-care center) serving 100 youth ages 5 to 12 years old after 34 childhood education licensed facilities were destroyed in the Eaton fire.  
• Create 25 teen jobs (for ages 14 to 25).
• Re-open Our SPOT Teen Center.
• Space for a satellite Altadena Library branch.
• A new Altadena Chats neighborhood meet-up and conversation site with Adirondack chairs to serve as a mini “town square.”
• Provide trauma recovery programming for children, seniors and families.
• Provide space for displaced community programming (Altadena Rotary summer concerts).

L.A. County Parks officials will meet with various community-based organizations in Altadena to expand programs at Loma Alta Park needed by residents. County officials envision the park serving as a hopeful sign of Altadena rising — to bring neighborhood residents together, to assist the community with critical services needed to help it heal and rebuild its future.

The goal for April volunteer Saturdays (9 a.m. to 2 p.m.) is to galvanize volunteers from across Los Angeles County to help green, re-plant trees and create beautiful murals with local artists at Loma Alta Park. Rather than one Earth Day, April will be “Earth Month” for Altadena and Loma Alta Park. Registration is required at bit.ly/3QIsyxK.

The Eaton fire damaged only a small portion of Loma Alta Park. Prior to the volunteer days, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will remove debris (playground equipment, damaged plants/trees, a maintenance shed, and the Altadena Community Garden), followed by a certified contractor who will thoroughly clean the park.

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Diana Tsow and her family had only lived in their Pacific Palisades home for four years before the Palisades wildfire tore through her neighborhood on Jan. 7, destroying homes, schools and businesses.

As part of our larger project of sharing community voices and what wildfire survivors need long-term, Tsow shares her story here, a reminder that parenting young children while displaced from natural disasters continues to be a challenge.

Escaping the flames: a terrifying drive

What was going through your mind as the evacuation notices started coming?

Even with the evacuation notices and seeing the huge, dark plume of smoke building outside, I really thought that I would leave and be back later that day. I was with my 2-year-old son, and driving out of the neighborhood was terrifying. There is one public canyon road in and out of my neighborhood. Driving out was like driving through a tunnel of fire. It looked like you were driving at midnight through thick fog, but you could see fire on both sides of the canyon and the street was literally on fire in front of me. There were boulders and debris all over the road. People had abandoned their cars on the street in a panic to get out That’s when I realized this is a lot worse than I thought.

What stands out the most when you think back? 

Once we decided to leave, I had about a half of an hour to pack up. I grabbed our important documents like passports, vital records, my first son’s ashes, my daughter’s most treasured rabbit plush and enough clothes for the family for about two days. It was certainly not enough clothing, but I really did not think we would be displaced for so long. 

Community support and the impact of misinformation

Where did you find refuge? What and who made the most impactful difference for you
during this time? 

We stayed with some friends on the first night. We then checked into a hotel for a few nights, and then stayed with another friend. We bounced around from hotel to Airbnb for a little while, and once we realized that it would be some time before we were able to go home, we signed a lease for a new apartment. We recently moved in, and that was our seventh move in three weeks. Our friends and family were incredibly helpful during this time. They opened their doors to us so we could rest, helped with childcare and even sourced and sent new clothing and other essential items for us.

What resources or support have you found most helpful during this crisis?  

The most helpful support has been from our friends and family. The least helpful is probably the dozens of online forums where a huge amount of misinformation is spread every day. 

How has your community come together to support you and other fire victims? 

The local community has been amazing. There are numerous donation sites that were set up so quickly to help with essential goods and clothing. These places are all volunteer run, and everyone is eager to help. Several local businesses banded together to provide goods and services to fire victims. And the Buy Nothing community has been nothing short of extraordinary. It’s really touching. 

Surviving a fire: what parents and kids need

How are your kids coping?

The kids are coping as well as expected. My son continues to ask to go home. My daughter has been surprisingly mature about the situation. She is really great at helping me take care of her brother. I am thankful that my son will not remember any of this, and my daughter is not taking it too hard yet. I wonder if she understands the gravity of what has happened. We do our best to talk about everything openly and honestly. 

What support do you need the most as a parent? 

Childcare is what I need most so I can deal with the many housing, insurance and general life issues we’re facing now. 

What are the challenges you’re facing in terms of housing, school, work? 

Housing was extremely difficult in the beginning and we moved around a lot. This is because we had no idea how long we would be displaced. We still do not know. So it was really difficult to sign a lease when we did not know if we needed to be gone for six months, a year, more? With regard to school, I have to hand it to LAUSD [Los Angeles Unified School District], who very quickly found a new school location where all of the existing students, teachers and staff could go together. The continuity of care is so important, and my daughter is adjusting well to the new campus.

Work has been challenging because in the beginning I could not work, as I needed to stay with the kids who had nowhere to go (both their schools burned). Now that both are back in school, I am finding that I do not have appropriate work attire.

How are you maintaining family life and some sense of normalcy during this time? 

We are slowly furnishing our new home with creature comforts. We make a point to eat dinner together as a family, and we are starting to get back into the kids’ extracurriculars. 

What would you tell other families who are also starting over?

Allow yourself time to process what is happening. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. 

What is the most important thing we can do for our kids during this time? 

Just be there for them — that is what they will remember. 

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Diane Farr has spent much of her acting life portraying a firefighter — from FX’s “Rescue Me” to CBS’s “Fire Country,” where she plays as Cal Fire division chief Sharon Leone. But on Jan. 7, the actress’ story crossed from the land of fiction into a real nightmare. Her cell phone sounded with an alert that her Altadena-adjacent home was in the line of fire.

As we continue to gather stories from community members about their experiences during the January wildfires that destroyed wide swaths of Altadena and Pacific Palisades — and explore what they need long-term — Farr recounts her family’s harrowing experience during the Eaton fire and highlights the bravery of firefighters, including incarcerated firefighters.

We’re glad you and your family are OK. Can you describe your community for us? 

I live in the town next to Altadena, which most of us now know lost [estimated 9,400] structures (mostly homes) in the fire. My town next door was built to serve the scientists working at JPL [NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory] and, therefore, has wonderful public schools. Most people in my town have families who attend these schools. This makes for more people who needed to flee, with children, when we were evacuated on the first night of the Eaton fire.

Who lives in your household?

Myself and my three children live here — my son Beckett (17) and my identical twin daughters (16) — and because the Christmas holidays had just ended, my boyfriend and a friend of ours were also staying at the house when the fires broke out.

What did you and your family do as soon as you learned about the fires?  

My evacuation story is unique in that I had already left for filming the night before the fire started, but my house was full of everyone I love. From our shooting location in Canada, I received a text to evacuate. I booked both my daughters on a plane, as they go to high school out of state, and sent them to the airport to get them out of harm’s way. My son went to his father’s house — nearby but not under evacuation. My boyfriend and our house guest went to other friends’ houses. 

As each person left my house, from my kids to my friends and my partner, they asked me what I needed them to take to safety. I don’t know if it was the right answer, but I told them to take their passport and themselves. Everything else, I could replace.

When were you able to return to your neighborhood? 

Our house was under evacuation orders for six days and power was not restored until the seventh day. My house guest did not feel safe returning at all, and my children seemed safer out of town. On the 10^th day, I returned alone to see if there was smoke damage. Thankfully, there is not, but the house feels different to me now. It feels vulnerable and, in turn, so do I when I am in it. I feel unsure if I can protect this home and vice versa.

How did you learn that your kids’ school had burned down?

I learned that my kids’ [former] elementary school burned down when the kids saw it on TikTok. 

How are your children doing, and what is the plan now for continuing their education? 

My children were no longer attending this school, but at our high school where my son is enrolled, 28 faculty members lost their homes to the Eaton fire. I asked a board member for a list of their GoFundMe accounts. I sent a donation to all of them. Also, our public school, like most, does fundraising to support the kids’ educational services.

Our school allowed us to send our annual school donation directly to a fund for all these teachers and staff — that will be distributed equally between them. As a smaller gesture, I offered garage space to any teacher in our town who needs a place to store their donations that they can access with or without me. 

Have you been able to talk to any of the school administrators or teachers? What about your neighbors? 

Because I was out of town filming when the fire began, one of my neighbors who is a scientist at JPL has been incredibly helpful to me. She has shared videos of our property, the town and information on when the winds were coming. She and I are both single mothers, and her support has meant the world to me.

During the evacuation days, my children’s friends’ dads took shifts at night to drive by and check our houses for looters. They took videos and sent them to me nightly. This was so comforting that it makes me cry to mention it. My partner also drove to my house each day at nightfall to water down the roof.  My training as a firefighter on both “Rescue Me” and “Fire Country” has told me this wouldn’t help for long, but might do my house some good for a few hours as night fell.  

We all remember who shows up for us in a time of crisis. These are the people I’m most thankful for.

Tell us about your roles in “Rescue Me” and “Fire Country” and the eerie connection to what happened here. 

I think we all feel incredibly helpless in a fire. While I was watching the destruction spread in the Watch Duty app and on the news, I dare say having trained with different kinds of firefighters (structural and wildland) for these roles over 25 years has made me feel extra helpless. Even though I know how to work a hose, climb ladders and have a uniform with boots and a helmet fitted to me, I would still only be in the way on scene. Evacuation is a privilege we enjoy because these brave men and women are running into the fire while the rest of us run out. This was never clearer to me than when my house was on the line, and I could still do nothing to help, despite training for my roles. 

What have you learned about firefighters and what they do through your research and other preparation for the roles?

The job is so much harder than you think. Carrying the gear alone is harder than anyone imagines. Anyone on the sidelines saying what should have been done needs to take that energy to support our civil servants in the future, not pretend to know how to do a job most of us would never make the cut to do.

What do you have to say to the real-life firefighters, including incarcerated firefighters, in our lives now?

I see you, I thank you and I admire every one of you. I play the part on TV, but in life I could never keep up with what you do. 

How has your experience as a director on “Fire Country” deepened your understanding of telling authentic stories about the fire community? 

Having my children and my home in the line of the fire, and being entirely dependent on the incarcerated men and women fighting it back alongside Cal Fire, the Los Angeles Fire Department and the visiting firefighters across California, the United States and the world has made me want to do the best job I possibly can bringing stories like theirs to TV. 

I have never felt that TV dramas are meant to be documentaries. We are to entertain and, in the best of times, shed light on what the experience of a firefighter is, but in my 25 years of playing a firefighter and now directing “Fire Country,” I have never wanted to get it right more than I do in this moment. 

What have you and your family been doing since returning to your neighborhood? 

Fundraising. Every day. This includes bringing groceries to single friends who lost their homes, bringing toys to the children of families I know who have lost all of them and participating in everything from a telethon to unpacking Amazon boxes with firefighter donations. The hours of service put in are the only times where my nervous system felt settled. It is not a platitude to say service is as good for me as it is for those being served. I encourage folks to look up online how to help. Your time and your efforts can go a long way.

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