In the aftermath of the Eaton Fire, 14 year old Avery Colvert noticed something others hadn’t: teen girls in her community were quietly struggling, not only missing their homes and routines, but also some of the little things… The small comforts that helped them feel like themselves. So Avery decided to do something.
That “something” became Altadena Girls, a grassroots relief effort by teens, for teens. What started as a simple donation drive quickly grew into a community-wide movement. Avery collected clothing, hair care products, makeup, hygiene items, and even comfort items like Stanley cups. These weren’t just supplies. They were symbols of dignity, normalcy, and care.
As Avery shared:
“I started hearing from my friends about the stuff they desperately needed, but were either afraid or ashamed to ask for. Girl stuff. Teen girl stuff. Everything from bras and underwear to makeup and stuff to just make them feel like themselves.”
At the TDB Family Foundation, this initiative struck a powerful chord. Altadena Girls lives at the intersection of two of our core focus areas: Amplifying Youth Voices and Mental Health Resiliency. It’s an extraordinary example of how young people, when trusted and supported, can respond with empathy, creativity, and bold action.
We were honored to award Altadena Girls an LA Fire Relief micro-grant to help them expand their Free Pop-Up Shop, which provided essentials to girls affected by the fire. But Avery’s vision didn’t stop there. Today, Altadena Girls is working to create a dedicated community space where young women can continue to grow, connect, and heal, long after the headlines fade.
This is exactly the kind of ripple effect we believe in: small acts of kindness that grow into something so much bigger.
➡️ Want to support Altadena Girls and their mission? You can donate directly at altadenagirls.org.
➡️ Have a kindness project of your own? Apply for a $1,000 Kindness Grant at tdbff.org/kindness-grants.
Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times