Disaster Relief
Responding to Disaster in Our Community
Disaster Relief Fund
The Southwest California Synod offers grant opportunities to support congregations and communities responding to disaster and other emerging needs. Current opportunities include the Los Angeles Fire Recovery Grant and the Immigration Legal Fee Grant.
Any Southwest California Synod Congregational Council officer or pastor may submit an application. Eligible applicants can use the button below to begin the application process. For questions, our Disaster Relief Coordinator’s contact information can be found here.
Disasters can happen unexpectedly and often leave lasting challenges for individuals, congregations, and communities. In response to the devastating Los Angeles wildfires and their widespread impact, the Southwest California Synod established the Disaster Relief Coordinator role to help congregations be better prepared, respond with care, and accompany communities through recovery. This role was made possible through the generous support of Lutheran Disaster Response.
The Disaster Relief Coordinator provides training, coordinates relief efforts, shares practical resources, and builds partnerships with Lutheran Disaster Response and local organizations. This ministry is rooted in accompaniment, walking alongside those who are suffering and strengthening the capacity of our churches to respond with hope, compassion, and resilience.
Programs and Events
Lutheran Disaster Response Training & Engagement Catalog
Lutheran Disaster Response Congregational Disaster Preparedness Guide
Safety, Recovery and Hope after Disaster: Helping Communities and Families Recover
Know Your Rights During Disaster: FEMA and Immigration Enforcement
Help for Immigrants After a Disaster (Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles)
Getting Through the Holiday Season After Grief and Disaster (English and Spanish)
Disaster Preparedness Tips for Congregations
Strengthening Your Congregation’s Food Ministry (English and Spanish)
Resources for Los Angeles Wildfires Disaster Relief
Los Angeles County Relief Fund
This portal serves as a one-stop resource to connect with trusted organizations that are providing crucial relief and support to those affected by the LA Wildfires. This website contains information on funds focused on supporting first responders, offering housing assistance, providing relief for small businesses and workers, and removing barriers for students and communities.
Los Angeles Region Community Recovery Organization
This website page contains links to resources for the 2025 LA Fires.
LA County Emergency Resources for Workers and Businesses
The LA Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) leads economic resiliency and recovery efforts for the County of Los Angeles. This website contains information on disaster recovery centers, business recovery centers, impacted family and worker centers, permit one-stops, as well as upcoming webinars and events.
The LA Disaster Relief Navigator is here to help you quickly create a personalized action plan that contains the critical financial and wellness resources available to you.
Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health
This website contains mental health resources for those impacted by the wildfire.
Fully Alive Community Health is a licensed mobile clinic bringing free medical, dental, vision, and mental health care to neighbors across greater Los Angeles, and showing up when disaster strikes. See their events page for upcoming clinic dates and locations.
Resources to Download
