Tabitha J.

I am a passionate scifi-RenFaire loving creature who is fascinated by “this human condition” and utterly amused and thrilled that after almost half a century a mostfantastical little soul, now known as my three year old son Axel, chose me to be his mommy…and God actually let me keep him. (The Eaton Fire turned my hand-built family compound and business to ashes. Someone needs help, hope, guidance and someone diligent and on THEIR side or/and even possibly just a hug…I can do that, I want to do that.).

Why This Work Matters

Looking at the whole person and offering support that satisfies all facets of a person/family not

just a checkmark in a box.

On culturally responsive care: The absolute best mindful support is provided when, where and

how it’s needed regardless of why and without judgement…preferably provided or guided by

folks from within or of similar circumstance, origin and trajectory.

Connection to Altadena

It was mine. I had never thought about it separately or having been unique because I was IT,

POV only from the inside and never attempted to “escape”. We, my particular family, have been

here for almost 100 years.

Meaningful tradition: Lil Red Hen, Village Playgarden, Altadena Hardware and the over 12

houses of myself, my grandmother, my parents, my aunts, uncles and cousins that have

disappeared and now only exist in memories and dreams.

In my work: No one will be left lost or behind, unless they choose otherwise. I will show up,

sweat and persevere not just FOR but ALONGSIDE, lockstep…instead of merely waiting to

write a report, tell the story of or wash away the pieces left by the bear and coyotes.

A Defining Moment

Two come to mind: in short, as a small child my mother was forced to run from my father and I

remember her pleading for help and being turned away over and over and over again. She had

no help…no one to notice if she had gone missing…no one to simply guide her to a safe zone.

Second, lately I’ve needed someone on my side to help guide me through this disaster as one

of the Eaton Fire survivors. Apparently I’ve missed out on a lot of resources simply because I

didn’t know they existed yet I tick most of the boxes that make me qualified. This should not

happen.

How this shapes my work: My home has always been offered as a safe haven with no questions

asked because of my history, however I wish that I could have offered more to each person who

has shown up over the past 24 years. This is my chance to offer more and listen and learn and

heal.

Vision for the Future

My hope for Altadena: A resilient, hopeful healthy community that is eager to pay it forward and

maybe inspire a portion of us to help the next community that is crushed by a disaster and lost.

What I hope families feel: Seen, heard, supported and empowered.

Bringing to the Work

Strengths: Resilient, solution focused, determined, holistic.

On collaboration: Synergy! We can learn how to better approach, support, and provide

resources from each other and each provide pieces of the situation to also identify if there might

be a larger issue or if by grouping resources we can better help.

Beyond the Work

What brings me joy: Traveling, growing or building things with my own hands.

Favorite genres: Sci-Fi

When not volunteering: Sharing in my toddlers magical world.

Fun fact: For twenty years I was an Engineering Liaison for NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, an

Entrepreneur since birth, bought my first home at 25, became an avid builder (for myself) and

volunteered my time all over the world before deciding to be a mom at 46 single during COVID

but the unexpected fact is I was also a character at Renaissance Faire and loved every second

of it and how this brown girl, at times blatantly but inaccurately called out to be an anachronism,

rocked it. (I will do it. Watch me).

Words I live by: "Hard, I can do. I don’t necessarily want to but I can and will. Watch me, I shall

not fail.

"