Friday, January 10, 2025

How to Help Los Angeles Fire Victims Right Now

The devastating wildfires sweeping through Los Angeles have left countless families displaced and communities grappling with unimaginable loss. As Angelenos, we feel the weight of this tragedy deeply. For many of us, LA is more than a city—it’s our home, filled with vibrant neighborhoods, rich culture, and a spirit of resilience. If you’re looking for ways to support those affected, here’s a guide to the most effective ways to lend a helping hand.

Organizations Offering Relief
American Red Cross Los Angeles Region
The American Red Cross provides emergency shelter, food, and emotional support for victims.
How to Help: Donate funds or volunteer.

SPCALA’s Disaster Animal Response Team
This team supports emergency services for animals, including temporary shelters and veterinary care.
How to Help: Donate funds to aid their efforts.

Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation
The foundation provides critical support to firefighters, including hydration backpacks, wildland brush tools, and emergency fire shelters.
How to Help: Make a monetary donation to equip firefighters on the front lines.

Baby2Baby
Baby2Baby is a nonprofit dedicated to providing essential items like diapers, food, formula, and hygiene products to children and families in need across Los Angeles. Partnering with over 470 organizations—including schools, shelters, and hospitals—throughout LA County, they ensure these critical supplies reach those who need them most.
How to Help: Donations to their disaster and emergency relief program directly support these efforts.

California Fire Foundation
This organization supports surviving families of fallen firefighters and aids impacted communities.
How to Help: Donate to their relief fund.

The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army provides meals, shelter, and essentials to fire victims.
How to Help: Donate money or essential items like clothing and food.

World Central Kitchen
Spearheaded by chef José Andrés, World Central Kitchen provides meals to first responders and families affected by the fires.
How to Help: Donate to support their ongoing relief efforts.

The Los Angeles Regional Food Bank
This organization delivers food and supplies to displaced families and first responders.
How to Help: Donate money or volunteer to pack and distribute food.

Direct Relief
Direct Relief supplies medical aid, masks, and other resources to affected individuals and first responders.
How to Help: Contribute funds or purchase supplies from their wish list.

Community Organized Relief Effort (CORE)
CORE supports wildfire victims with essential services and relief resources.
How to Help: Donate funds to their wildfire relief efforts.

Pasadena Humane Society
This organization rescues and shelters displaced animals, seeking donations of supplies like food, water bowls, blankets, and crates.
How to Help: Drop off supplies at their shelter or donate online.

Project Angel Food
Project Angel Food delivers meals to wildfire victims and is seeking volunteers to prepare and distribute food.
How to Help: Sign up to volunteer or donate to support their efforts.

Los Angeles County Shelters Taking Animals
The Los Angeles County Animal Care Foundation has five shelters for large animals and seven for small animals amid the ongoing Southern California wildfires.

For large animals:

Lancaster Animal Care Center (5210 W Ave I, Lancaster, CA 93536)
Industry Hills Expo (16200 Temple Ave, City of Industry, CA 91744)
Horses only: Pomona Fairplex (1101 W Mckinley Ave, Pomona, CA 91768)
At capacity: Pierce College (6201 Winnetka Ave Woodland Hills, CA 91367)
At capacity: Hansen Dam Horse Park (11127 Orcas Ave, Hansen Dam, CA 91342)

For small animals:

Agoura Animal Care Center (29525 Agoura Rd, Agoura Hills, CA 91301)
Baldwin Park Animal Care Center (4275 Elton St, Baldwin Park, CA 91706)
Carson Animal Care Center (216 W Victoria St, Gardena, CA 90248)
Downey Animal Care Center (11258 Garfield Ave, Downey, CA 90242)
Lancaster Animal Care Center (5210 W Ave I, Lancaster, CA 93536)
Palmdale Animal Care Center (38550 Sierra Hwy, Palmdale, CA 93550)
American Red Cross Sheltering Site at El Camino High School (5440 Valley Circle Blvd, Woodland Hills, CA 91367)

LA Animal Services has a total of six shelters, listed below:

East Valley (14409 Vanowen St, Van Nuys CA 91405)
Harbor (957 N. Gaffey Street, San Pedro, CA 90731)
Chesterfield Square / South LA (1850 W. 60th St. Los Angeles, CA 90047)
North Central (3201 Lacy Street, Los Angeles, CA 90031)
West Valley (20655 Plummer Street, Chatsworth, CA 91311)
West Los Angeles (11361 West Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90064)

Other Ways to Help
GoFundMe: Many families and individuals affected by the fires have created fundraising pages to help rebuild their lives. Search “LA fire victims” on GoFundMe to donate directly.

Support Local Businesses: Help small businesses affected by the fires by purchasing goods or services or donating to community recovery funds.

Spread Awareness: Share verified fundraising efforts and resources on social media to amplify the reach of relief efforts.

Be careful where you donate during and after a disaster. You can verify a charity’s legitimacy on Charity Navigator.

How You Can Make a Difference
In addition to supporting these organizations, consider sharing verified fundraising efforts on social media to amplify their reach. Donations of any size, volunteering your time, or simply spreading awareness can make a significant impact.

The post How to Help Los Angeles Fire Victims Right Now appeared first on The Chalkboard.



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Tuesday, January 7, 2025

Your Guide to Manifesting a Better 2025 with Micro Goals

The new year has a way of making us all feel like visionaries, doesn’t it? It’s when aspirations seem shinier, and the idea of stepping into your best self feels perfectly plausible. But once the glow of January fades, how do you keep the magic alive without fizzling out by mid-February?

According to Sia-Lanu Estrella, manifestation expert and author of The Rainbow Tablets: Abundance and Sacred Co-Creation, the secret lies not in grand gestures but in the quiet power of consistent action. Think less “waiting for the universe to deliver” and more “making small moves every day that align with your goals.”

If you’re ready to channel that fresh-start energy into something lasting, Sia-Lanu’s approach might just be the blueprint you’ve been looking for. Her five tips show how actionable micro-goals can take your manifestation practice from fleeting inspiration to grounded reality. Here's how to start.

1. Identify your monthly magic and miracles

No doubt, your highest vision will seem “big”. And it should! The last thing you want is to keep your dreams small. Yet, bringing such an expansive vision into reality can seem overwhelming. Before you can start with daily actions, first break down your vision to your focus for that month.

Get yourself a manifestation journal. On the first day of each month, come into a connected state and write down 5 to 10 manifestation goals for that month. Some may be quite practical, whereas others might feel more miraculous and like they are “up to the universe”.

Next to each monthly manifestation goal, draw three stars. When you initiate action, colour in the first star. Once you have made progress, colour the second. When the goal is achieved, colour the third. This will help you see your progress at a glance and keep you motivated. And it’s ok if some goals need to carry over to the following month. As long as your first two stars are coloured in, you are actively manifesting that goal.

2. Take 3 steps towards your goals each day

To manifest at your highest ability, you must shift from 3D life into being the Master Creator of your reality. Having a morning practice is paramount. This will centre your energy and connect you to abundance, magic and miracles. And it isn’t time intensive. This 10-minute Rainbow Pyramid Sovereignty Practice will realign your frequency so you are creating your highest possibilities for the day. If you have more time, after the Rainbow Pyramid you could add yoga, time in nature, journalling, or breath practice.

At the end of your morning practice, read your monthly magic and miracles list. Breathe each manifestation goal into every cell in your body and out into your energy field. This “encodes” it into your frequency to both attract and amplify what you desire.

Next, commit to three actions or micro-goals for that day. For example, if you are manifesting an opportunity to raise your profile, your three actions might be: research podcasts you would like to be a guest on, put together a pitch document, email the top five.

If you have a busy day ahead, your daily action could be as small as making a phone call or sending an email. Then, on days when you can carve out more time, dive into the chunkier actions. By committing to three micro-goals each day, you will be amazed at the momentum your manifestations gain. 

3. Hold yourself accountable and celebrate

One of the biggest reasons people fail in their manifestations is that they sink into the “day to day” and lose connection to their highest vision. Each night, come back to your manifestation journal for five minutes. Harness the power of 333 by writing:

  • 3 things you are grateful for in that day
  • 3 micro-goals you completed that day
  • 3 moments of magic or kindness in that day.

Really celebrate what you created in that day and let your heart expand with joy. Then connect with your highest vision. Breathe into it and feel it as though it is already your reality. Then celebrate how this day brought you closer to it.

This 333 practice holds you accountable. And it sends a pulse out to the universe. By celebrating your gratitude, progress and the magic, you are showing the universe you want more of this. So, the energy will align to deliver more to you. This elevates your timeline and brings your manifestation into reality with greater ease and speed.

4. Actively raise your vibration

We’ve been told to think of manifestation as “attraction”, which is a pull energy. But that is just scratching the surface. You are both the magnet and amplifier of all that you are manifesting. Think of it as the infinity symbol. To harness your full power to manifest, you need to move from “pull” energy into “creation” energy. You are a transmission tower and as you raise your frequency, you literally step into a higher reality.

To be the most powerful vessel of manifestation, remove things that lower your frequency. This could include certain types of music or television, alcohol, processed foods and even toxic people. Instead, create more space for the things that elevate you. Exercise, eat nourishing foods, and surround yourself with amazing people. Continue to expand your consciousness. Reading is a great way to do this, even if you can only set aside 15 minutes a day. And you might want to awaken more of your cosmic wisdom through a sacred retreat or online program, such as a Mystery School.

5. Amplify the magic

Two of the biggest amplifiers of manifestation might surprise you: gratitude and kindness. Again, think of the infinity symbol. When you give through acts of kindness, the blessings automatically flow back to you.

When you weave gratitude into your day, you move from “expressing” gratitude to “vibrating” at the frequency of gratitude. Each time you sit down to a meal, offer your gratitude. This is not just words. Really feel it emanate from your heart. Every time abundance flows to you, pause to offer gratitude. When you pay a bill, do so with gratitude because you have that abundance to spend. Remember, the universe will bring you more of what you desire. And your gratitude sends out a pulse to the universe.

Most importantly, gratitude and kindness open your heart. They bring you back to your core essence, which amplifies yourself as the transmission tower. In this way, you manifest more of the magic and really do become the Master Creator of your reality.

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Thursday, January 2, 2025

5 Thoughtful Ways to Make Your 2025 More Sustainable

Let’s face it—“sustainability” might feel like the buzzword that just won’t quit, but living more thoughtfully isn’t just trendy, it’s transformative. Think of it this way: every chic swap or mindful upgrade you make is like giving the planet a little wink and saying, “I got you.” So, whether you’re sipping on regenerative wine or rocking a timeless Stella McCartney blazer, these five ideas will have you saving the world one fabulous choice at a time. Because who said being eco-conscious couldn’t be stylish?

+ Invest in Ethically sourced and Regenerative Agriculture Products
Luxury meets sustainability with brands that prioritize regenerative practices, restoring soil health and promoting biodiversity. Stock your pantry with ethically sourced, high-quality options like Fishwife’s gourmet tinned seafood, which partners with sustainable fisheries to deliver delights like their Smoked Salmon with Fly By Jing Chili Crisp and Albacore Tuna. For a taste of Italy, Le Marké’s organic, hand-harvested olive oil from the shores of Lago di Garda offers a rich, full-bodied flavor steeped in tradition. Round out your collection with Flamingo Estate’s California Native Mountain Wildflower Honey, harvested sustainably from local wildflowers for a deep, antioxidant-rich sweetness. These thoughtful additions to your kitchen reflect a dedication to both quality and the planet.

+ Build a Timeless, Sustainable Wardrobe
Elevate your style with ethically made pieces from designers like Stella McCartney, Reformation, and Gabriela Hearst. By choosing brands with transparent supply chains and innovative materials, you’ll not only reduce your environmental footprint but also curate a wardrobe that transcends fleeting trends.

+ Enhance Your Home with Sustainable Decor
Turn your space into an eco-conscious sanctuary with luxury brands like Avocado for organic furniture or Parachute for ethically made bedding. For bespoke touches, explore Goodee’s artisan-crafted goods or Kalon Studios’ timeless, sustainable designs.

+ Opt for Low-Waste, Luxury Beauty
Elevate your beauty routine with multi-functional products and refillable packaging. Brands like Kjaer Weis, Tata Harper, and Aesop offer sustainable luxury with clean formulations and eco-conscious designs. Bonus: These small, mindful swaps can transform your routine into a chic, planet-friendly ritual.

5. Advocate for Systemic Change
True sustainability requires collective action. Use your voice and vote to support policies that promote renewable energy and waste reduction. Engage in community initiatives, from local cleanups to tree planting, and champion brands driving measurable environmental impact. Together, we create the momentum for lasting change.

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