Tama L.

With years of experience supporting families through health, housing, and disaster-related challenges, I’m committed to bridging gaps in care and access. My work with the Eaton Fire community led me to DENA Forward Alliance, where I continue advocating for recovery with empathy and action.

Why This Work Matters

Shared Harvest’s mission resonates with me because it reflects the work I’ve devoted myself to

— reducing barriers, promoting health equity, and ensuring families have the support they need during moments of crisis and rebuilding. I was drawn to this network because it values compassion, collaboration, and culturally responsive care, which mirrors the way I approach my work with P. E. A. R. L. S. Of Compassion and the Eaton Fire community. It feels like a natural extension of who I am and the kind of work I am called to do.

On culturally responsive care: It means caring in a way that is shaped by the community itself—its wisdom, its relationships, and its shared experiences. Culturally responsive care is not one-size-fits-all; it’s built through listening, learning, and collaborating with families so that support feels familiar, respectful, and rooted in belonging.

Connection to Altadena

I connect to Altadena through the relationships, trust, and shared experiences built over time. I'm Dena born (St. Luke's Hospital) and raised (Stang4Life). I've been blessed to have been able to live both north and south of Woodbury. What I love most is my community’s spirit of resilience, cultural richness, and the way people genuinely show up for each other. 

Meaningful tradition: Farnsworth Park is meaningful to me because so many of my life's fun times, milestones and memories have happened there — senior ditch day, birthday celebrations, annual family reunions, Easter Sunrise Services, homegoing celebrations, baby showers, and even my grandchildren’s baseball games just to name a few. It’s a place filled with love, community, and connection.

In my work: Growing up around Altadena’s traditions, gatherings, and shared spaces taught me that community is built on connection. That legacy shows up in my work every day — in the way I listen, the way I advocate, and the way I help families feel supported throughout recovery and rebuilding.

A Defining Moment

When my mother became I'll, our family entered a world of medical decisions, emotional weight, and unfamiliar systems. During that time, what made a difference were the people who offered kindness, direction, and support. Losing her was life-changing, but it also lit a fire in me. It showed me how important it is for families to have advocates who listen, guide, and stand with them. That experience is at the heart of why I do this work and the kind of impact I hope to make.

How this shapes my work: Walking through my mother’s illness and loss taught me how deeply families need support that is steady, honest, and grounded in empathy. It shaped me into someone who listens first, honors every emotion, and helps families navigate their challenges without feeling alone.

Vision for the Future

My hope for Altadena: I hope to help strengthen Altadena’s resilience by increasing support for families affected by the Eaton fire, displacement, and hardship. In the next 3–5 years, I want to build deeper connections between neighbors, organizations, and caregivers so families can access resources faster, feel understood, and rebuild with confidence. My goal is a community where recovery is not just possible, but supported every step of the way.

What I hope families feel: I hope families feel empowered, informed, and confident in their next steps. My goal is for them to feel that they received clear guidance, compassionate support, and a trusted partner who helped them navigate systems that can otherwise feel overwhelming.

Bringing to the Work

Strengths: I support families by creating a space where they feel seen, respected, and understood — especially during the uncertainty of recovery and rebuilding. My strengths include cultural humility, the ability to connect with families from diverse backgrounds, and a deep commitment to ensuring that no one feels alone while navigating systems that can be overwhelming.

On collaboration: Being part of a network of care managers means I’m connected to others who share the same commitment to compassion, equity, and supporting families with dignity. It means we don’t carry the work alone — we learn from one another, uplift each other, and create a stronger safety net for the communities we serve.

Beyond the Work

What brings me joy: Outside of work, I’m grounded by time with my family, cooking and enjoying good food, traveling (cruiser4life), live entertainment, and being present for the people I love. I find joy in quiet moments of self-care, community events, and anything that allows me to connect with others in a meaningful way.

Favorite genres: Other

When not volunteering: I support caregivers, seniors, and families who often carry heavy burdens in silence. My work is rooted in my own lived experiences — being the person people call when they’re overwhelmed, need resources, or need someone who genuinely cares. P. E. A. R. L. S. Compassion grew from that part of me. Outside of work, I’m still that person. I love connecting people to what they need, celebrating small victories, and being a steady presence in my community. I’m a mother, a friend, a helper, and someone who believes in love as a form of leadership. My life is balanced between service, family, and continuous growth, and I carry those values into everything I do.

Fun fact: A fun fact about me is that I can turn any family/friend gathering into a celebration — even a simple barbecue becomes a whole event.

Words I live by: "Self-care ain't selfish, it's essential!"