Gov. Newsom Approves $2.5 Billion for Recovery Package as Sen. Smallwood-Cuevas Links Fire Victims to Resources

Lila Brown | California Black MediaSenator Sasha Renee Perez (D-Pasadena) and Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas (D-Los Angeles) hold a joint equitable recovery listening session for Altadena fire victims on Jan. 20. (CBM Staff Photo)On Jan. 20, Sen. Lola Smallwood Cuevas (D-Inglewood), a member of the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC), hosted a “listening session” at Pasadena Church in Pasadena. The event was sponsored by the Los Angeles Black Worker Center.Smallwood-Cuevas was joined by Sen. Renée Pérez (D-Alhambra), the Rev. Kevin Manning and others at the event that brought together Altadena residents affected by the fires, advocates, first responders and others to discuss the road to recovery.“Today’s listening session drew nearly 200 Altadena residents, business owners and community leaders, who received on-site guidance from representatives of FEMA, the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (CalOES), the CA Dept of Insurance, American Red Cross, CA Dept of Social Services, and CA Black Freedom Fund,” said Smallwood-Cuevas.“Big shout out to @lablackworkercenter for sponsoring the event,’ Smallwood-Cuevas wrote on Facebook. “Let’s continue to create safe spaces where Altadena residents can voice their needs and receive equal access to relief, recovery and rebuilding efforts.In a move to assist Los Angeles County in its recovery from recent...