BACK IN BUSINESS: VOLUNTEERS HELPING ALTADENA'S BUSINESS COMMUNITY RECOVERAltadena, CA — April 7, 2025 — The Altadena Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce Back in Business, a volunteer-powered initiative aimed at helping Altadena businesses recover after the Eaton Fire. This program is designed to streamline and coordinate relocation efforts, rebuild the local business community, and foster long-term economic sustainability—all driven by an army of dedicated volunteers.Neighbors Supporting Neighbors At the heart of Back in Business is its volunteer outreach program, where trained local volunteers reach out to connect directly with all impacted businesses—both for-profit and non-profit-- and provide personalized support. Volunteers: Offer free one-on-one assistance to assess the needs of business owners who have lost their facilities or customers, or both, and, in some cases, also their homes. · Listen and respond to needs of business owners coping with disaster-related trauma. Build lasting relationships among neighbors aimed at reconnecting businesses with their client base. Identify potential workspaces and match displaced businesses with relocation opportunities. Provide businesses with guidance on permits, tenant improvements, and funding resources. With County and Chamber personnel stretched thin, Back in Business fills the gap by mobilizing community members who are eager to support struggling businesses and restore Altadena's economic landscape. How the Program Works The initiative is structured around two core efforts: Outreach Volunteers and Space Identification. Outreach Volunteers: Back in Business recruits, trains, and deploys pro-active volunteers to help local businesses navigate the recovery process. Volunteers assess business needs through a structured questionnaire and connect them with the program's legal, real estate, and architectural experts for pro bono assistance. Finding Available Spaces: A dedicated team of commercial realtors and planners work to locate affordable, viable spaces for displaced businesses. This includes developing a database of available properties, conducting walkabouts to identify underutilized spaces, and exploring financial incentives and subsidies to make leasing more accessible. A Grassroots Effort Built on Collaboration Led by Pasadena Planning Commissioner Julianna Delgado through the backing of Councilmember Rick Cole, a grassroots Task Force launched Back in Business with the Altadena Chamber of Commerce as a direct response to the mass disruption caused by the Eaton Fire. The initiative builds on prior outreach efforts from Pasadena's North Lake Specific Plan Area Update and relies on a select working group of professionals—including local attorneys, planners, architects, and real estate experts with close ties to Altadena. “Businesses are an essential part of a community,” says Delgado, an urban planner with disaster recovery experience. “Their return—through compassion, commitment, and cooperation--- is at the very core of successful rebuilding.” Back in Business, a member of the Eaton Fire Collaborative, has partnered with the LA County Dept. of Economic Opportunity, the City of Pasadena's Dept. of Economic Development, the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce, neighborhood associations, and local service and professional organizations to ensure businesses receive the support they need. Additionally, plans are underway to establish a Mercado-type community gathering space to foster micro-businesses and pop-up enterprises. Join the Effort to Rebuild Altadena The Back in Business initiative thrives on community support. Residents are encouraged to volunteer, offer relocation assistance, and share resources to help Altadena businesses return stronger than ever. For more information, to get involved, or to offer available space contact: Julianna Delgado, PhD, FAICP, “Back in Business” Program Director, julianna.delgado@sbcglobal.net, 626-354-8797 Judy Matthews, President, Altadena Chamber of Commerce, https://www.altadenachamber.org, 626-794-3988 Submitted: 04/12/25 Article By: Rebecca Rasmussen |