It’s been seven months since the idea of starting a nonprofit popped into my head. I remember how out-of-nowhere and daunting it felt, but I couldn’t shake it.
Which still makes me laugh a little. I’m an interior designer. I didn’t come into this with a background in disaster recovery or nonprofit anything. The running joke, as I fumbled through my first video calls, was, “Forgive me, this is my first nonprofit.”And while I’m definitely learning as I go, I’ve been clear about two things from the start: the need is urgent, and the community response has been incredible.
We’ve raised over $21,000 so far, which has helped us launch three programs, bring on four leads, begin supporting over 100 families, and get our first events off the ground.
So what does an interior designer-turned-accidental-nonprofit-founder do with hundreds of families asking for help? Build, support, and figure it out one step at a time.
What We’re Building
Lotus Rising LA came out of a moment when everything felt urgent and broken. After the 2025 wildfires, families were calling insurance hotlines, sleeping in cars, getting bounced between agencies, and still ending up without a way to rebuild. Longtime residents were told, in so many words, they were on their own.
While evacuated and typing from my mother-in-law’s guest room, I called my longtime architect and mentor, Victor. I asked him what we could do. That’s when the idea of prefab came up, for its speed, affordability, sustainability, and style. It made sense.
And so the idea of Lotus gifting prefab homes to our most vulnerable neighbors was born. But there was one problem: we had no money. And unlike Smaug, I was not sitting on heaps of gold.
So I started small. I listened to what our community said they needed. One conversation at a time, we built programs to meet them where they were.
The Village
The first meaningful thing we could offer was a platform to help people feel seen and heard.
The Village is a trusted network of support for families falling through the cracks. It includes builders, therapists, architects, lawyers, and neighbors who offer their skills to help people navigate the complicated, often isolating road to recovery.
Tucked inside The Village is our blog: Community Voices, the first program we officially launched. It shares survivor stories and highlights recovery needs across LA.
It’s led by one of my most trusted friends, Belinda, who brings deep editorial experience and has one of the most generous hearts I know. She runs it with our wonderfully verbose crew of Word Nerds. Together, we’ve released a new piece every week since launch. This blog marks our 20th.
October, date TBD | Altadena
House to Home
The next need was simpler, but heavy: “We need the basics.” Beds, a fridge. Some families had temporary shelter and nothing else. Some were living in cars.
House to Home is our way of helping families rebuild the essentials. So far, it includes:
- Lil’ Lotus Kits
A lil’ lift of $25 gas and food cards for families facing urgent needs.
- Furniture Support
Mattresses, seating, storage, tables, and more. Over 110 families have already reached out. If you have anything collecting dust that you would like to donate to a family in need, please fill out our donation form here.
We received over 200 requests within weeks and had to close the form to manage our resources. It still sits heavily with me, but with limited time, money, and people, I knew we had to be responsible with what we had.
October date TBD | Victory Bible Church, Pasadena
- Volunteers for setup, sorting, and delivery
- Drivers with trucks or vans
- Clean, working furniture within 10–15 miles of Pasadena
- Donors to help offset moving costs, storage, and supplies
Rebuild Ready
This was the idea that started it all. Before we had a name, a plan, or any funding, we kept hitting the same wall: families wanted to rebuild, but the process was slow, expensive, and full of roadblocks.
Rebuild Ready was our first concept, making rebuilding possible for families being pushed out. Prefab made the most sense. It’s faster, more flexible, and often more affordable than what’s out there.
We’re not able to fund full rebuilds yet, but we’re starting with what we can offer now: education.
Sep. 27, 2025 | American Legion Hall, Palisades
How People Are Getting Involved
No two volunteers have helped in the same way. So far, we’ve seen:
- A neighbor lend her truck for pickups
- A mom donate $50 a month to cover gift cards for one family at a time
- A business strategist offer marketing support
If you’re wondering how you can pitch in, we welcome time, talent, donations, and heart. You don’t need to be local or have hours to spare. Whatever you’ve got, we can use your help.
What We’re Learning
Every step has been a learning curve. Starting small means we’ve been close to the work, the people we’re helping, the challenges they’re facing.
Here’s what we’ve learned so far:
- Listening first matters
- Small acts go a long way
- Collaboration builds strength
- You can start before everything’s figured out
This is our community. We care for it one conversation at a time, and we build from there.
Behind the scenes, we’re strengthening our foundation: improving intake, refining events, and building new partnerships to keep this going. If you’re looking for a way to help, a monthly donation goes a long way.
A Final Thanks
We’re still early in this work, but I’m proud of what our team has pulled off and grateful for what’s ahead.
If you got this far, thank you. Whether you gave time, funds, furniture, or support from afar, you helped get us off the ground. We hope to see you at our fall events. Until then, we’ll keep building alongside the families who’ve called LA home for decades.
The idea for Lotus first came to me on a walk with my husband and our dog, Skully. I turned to him and said, “Am I crazy for wanting to do this?” He didn’t flinch. “Do it,” he said.
That one conversation helped me take the first step. And every step since has been made possible by the people walking alongside us.
In love and service,
Jacqui
Founder, Lotus Rising LA
Disclaimer: The content shared in our blog is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal, medical, or financial advice. Please consult with a qualified professional for guidance specific to your situation.
