Meet Cynthia Cook

"This was my home for nearly 40 years—and the only home my grandson ever knew."

Cynthia Cook built her life in Altadena. She purchased her home on Mountain View Street in 1987 as a single mother working in oil and gas, determined to provide a safe, stable place for her family. For nearly four decades, the house welcomed birthdays, baby showers, family reunions, and quiet mornings looking out at the mountains from her kitchen window.

But the most important chapter unfolded when her grandson was born. Diagnosed with autism, he grew up in Cynthia’s home—learning, growing, and receiving specialized education in Pasadena. His school, Blair High, built a tailored program around his needs. Cynthia and her daughter have been driving over 20 miles each way from temporary housing in Glendora to ensure he can continue to thrive. That house wasn’t just where he lived—it was his foundation.

When the Eaton Fire swept through Altadena, Cynthia and her daughter fled in the middle of the night with little more than their dog and essential papers. Their home was lost. So were the memories, the legacy—and the only sense of “home” her grandson has ever known.

Without an ADU on her property, this is what her FUTURE could be:

• Continued displacement for her daughter and grandson

• Daily 40+ mile commutes to access school and therapy

• Rising rental costs with limited options for special-needs caregiving

• Greater emotional stress and disconnection from the community they love

With an ADU on her property, this is what her FUTURE could be:

• A safe, long-term home for her daughter and grandson—on the land they love

• Stability for her grandson, who has autism and may never live independently

• Ongoing access to his specialized school and care team in Pasadena

• A place to live during the rebuild—saving thousands in rent, gas, storage, and stress