Non -profit organization Paris Hilton is $ 25,000 in grants for companies owners after La wildlife destroyed their ‘dreams’ jobs
There are short moments when Annisa Faquir forgets that Little Red Hen, Altaden’s dinner, founded her grandmother half a century ago, burned inEaton Fire.
“You think,” I can grab something – wait, it’s in the ashes, “said Faquir, who worked at the store since her mother Barbara Shay took the family business seven years ago.
Women want to rebuild the dinner loved by the neighbors because of the prawns and the bite, catfish and mixture of coffee shay’s Secret House. They knew they would need help but were surprised when Paris Hilton invited to offer them.
Little Red Hen’s cafe is one of 50 companies owned by women to whom Eaton The fire received a recovery support up to $ 25,000 fromHiltonNon -profit is 11:11 media influence and Gofundme.org.
“These women are the backbone of their communities,” the reality star said in a statement. “Through this powerful partnership, we do not only help them renew them – we invest in their future, their families and their neighborhoods.”
Faquir said that the significant support and lightness of the procedure were helpful, especially compared to severe tests for smaller scholarships of other donors who asked “for the hand and legs”. “They saw us,” she said. “They heard our story.”
More than 1800The companies were located in Eaton and Palisades firefighting zonesAccording to the corporation for the economic development of the Los Angeles district. They neglected 9,600 workers and made $ 1.4 billion a year for sales. The county estimates that subsequent losses in economic production, reduction in revenue and tax revenues will be in billions.
“To ensure that they remain in the air is now surgical, so we can even talk to them about long -term recovery,” said Kelly Lobianco, director of the LA district economic capabilities, about these companies.
Companies are mostly struggling to re -open after a disaster. 2021.,Three quarters of small businesses were insufficiently securedAccording to the HISCOX insurer, and less than half had property insurance.
In LA fires, many companies owners also lost their homes. Some are still repaying loans from the Pandemia Coid-19. The county distributes about $ 20 million in grants, but Lobianco said it would be much more.
After the applications flood their own program, 11:11 Media Impact and GoFundme.org expanded it from 11 to 50 Grant. Recipients include centers for children, bakeries, bookstores, dance studies and salons.
“Seeing an overwhelming response of women entrepreneurs who need support, she showed us how important and urgent need to help this community is a renewal,” Hilton said.
The money will increase entrepreneurs who worried that the Eaton fire destroyed their future, said Lizzy Okoro Davidson, director of the Pasadena Women’s Business Center, who is a partner in the program of grants. Money can help return after long shutter, provide new spaces and replace equipment. “In some cases, $ 25,000 will be a bridge that will lead them up to 100% of what they need,” said Okoro Davidson.
Renata Ortega, owner of the Orla Floral Studio, used her own floral design company from the converted garage next to the house she shared with her husband and three dogs at the foot of Altaden.
Ever since the Eaton fire destroyed their estate, Ortega has been working from a shared workshop in the center of LA, lent to her by her colleague Flower Designer. It was the kindness of Ortega deeply appreciates, but she knows she will need her own space in the end.
“I really didn’t know if we were going to succeed or how long we would succeed, start from scratch, so this support really gives me hope at the time of uncertainty,” she said.
Ortega will use money for deposit and renting in the studio, while she and her husband renew their property. She also has to replace all the vases, shelves and tools she lost.
“I can continue the job that used to be just a dream for me,” Ortega said, adding that she would forever be grateful to Hilton. “We’ll succeed now.”
The Pasadena Women’s Business Center will also receive $ 25,000 to provide without consulting the local owners of companies. Okoro Davidson said that entrepreneurs would need a lot of encouragement to move on.
“We are really at the beginning of the start of the renovation process,” she said, adding that she would “reconsider” the companies to come next. Companies that never had websites could now sell their products online, she said, or restaurants could turn into food trucks while they – and their customers – renew.
Grants have mostly come with gofundme.org’sWildlife Fundwho has raised $ 7.7 million from 43,000 donors so far. Hilton,whose home in Malibu was burned in the fire of PalisadesHe donated $ 150,000 to a fire assistance fund.
Its non -profit organization, which is usually focusedChild protectionAnd enhancing women’s voices, they raised $ 1.2 million in the first week after the fire.
Faquir said that she and her mom would invest the money in the construction of a restaurant, replacement of equipment and finally buying the land on which their dining had stood in the last 53 years. “That’s our family legacy,” Faquir said. “We need to support what her mom started.”
This story is originally shown on Fortune.com
