Recovery, Resilience, and Healing: Exploring the Experiences of Black Families Impacted By the Eaton Fire in the Altadena and Pasadena Area

Background/Introduction:
Natural disasters like wildfires can leave lasting emotional, social, and psychological impacts on communities. Yet, the unique experiences of historically marginalized populations—particularly Black families—are often overlooked in disaster research. Systemic inequities exacerbate the trauma these communities face, deepening the emotional toll and complicating recovery efforts. The 2025 Eaton Fire, which devastated parts of Altadena and Pasadena, disproportionately impacted Black residents, magnifying pre-existing vulnerabilities and disrupting long-standing community ties. This study addresses a critical gap in the literature by exploring the grief, healing, and recovery experiences of Black families affected by this disaster. Specifically, it examines how cultural values, traditions, and community networks influence coping and resilience. By centering Black voices, this research offers insights into culturally grounded responses to loss and identifies strategies that social workers and community organizations can use to support Black families during and after disasters. The primary aim was to explore the grief, recovery, resilience, and healing experiences of Black families impacted by the Eaton Fire and to highlight culturally specific responses that inform equitable, trauma-informed disaster recovery practices.

Methods:
This rapid research study employed snowball and convenience sampling to recruit participants shortly after the Eaton Fire. Eligible participants were 18 or older, identified as Black or African American, and were directly affected by the fire in Altadena or Pasadena. A total of 37 community members participated; 35 identified as female and 2 as male, with most (n = 29) residing in the area for over 21 years, indicating deep community roots. Data were collected via a Qualtrics survey with open-ended qualitative questions. A grounded theory approach guided analysis, with iterative coding and theme development used to interpret participant narratives within broader systemic and sociocultural contexts.

Results:
Six key themes emerged: (1) layered grief from loss, displacement, and disrupted daily life, shaped by historical inequities; (2) intensified trauma due to housing instability and separation from community; (3) the role of spiritual and cultural practices—such as prayer, ritual, and ancestral connections—as vital coping mechanisms; (4) reliance on mutual aid and collective care in the absence of institutional support; (5) barriers to accessing culturally responsive services and navigating bureaucratic systems; and (6) community-driven recommendations emphasizing the need for sustained, culturally affirming support rooted in equity and healing.

Conclusion and Implications:
Data highlights the necessity for disaster response and recovery efforts to center racial equity, cultural responsiveness, and community leadership. The theory that emerged from this research was culturally grounded resilience theory (CGRT) which speaks to both the complicated grief experiences of Black families impacted by the Eaton Fire and systemic neglect while also demonstrating resilience through spiritual grounding and mutual aid. Social worker practitioners must adopt trauma-informed, anti-racist practices and partner with Black communities to co-create healing-centered, culturally rooted interventions. Sustained investment in equitable mental health care, housing access, and community-based recovery is essential. Embedding cultural humility and structural awareness into disaster response is critical to fostering justice and long-term healing in communities of color.