New beginnings for Mary
For more than 40 years, Mary has called Altadena home. It’s where she raised her children and built her life. But when the Eaton Fires swept through the community earlier this year, her house was left badly damaged—and her future felt uncertain.
“I didn’t know whether I was going to walk into this house again,” Mary recalled. Caring for her adult son, who continually asked when they could return home, only deepened the heartache of not knowing what was next.
That’s when San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity stepped in. Though she had been on our waiting list before, this time help arrived when she needed it most. Volunteers showed up with compassion, skill, and determination—not for recognition, but to ensure Mary and her son could return to a safe and dignified home.
Today, just one week back under her own roof, Mary is filled with gratitude. “It felt different at first, but each time I come back, it feels more and more like home again,” she shared with a smile.
Her story is a testament to the power of community, compassion, and the belief that home is where healing begins.
Mary now dreams of paying it forward—volunteering her own time to help others recover. “SGV Habitat made this possible for me,” she said. “Without them, none of this could have come into fruition.”
Swipe through to see before and after photos of Mary's Home
