Cesar Alca

Wildfires cause more than physical damage, they leave many feeling isolated. By pairing relief with peer gatherings, Cesar was able to help create a bridge back to community for affected families. He worked to meet urgent recovery needs in February 2025, collecting and distributing essential supplies, while simultaneously creating safe spaces for healing and connection.

Attendees of the peer-led support group shared stories and began discussing how they could be better prepared for future emergencies. It was a chance to see engagement in action, neighbors stepping up for neighbors and to imagine themselves as leaders in resilience efforts. One neighbor told Cesar that “it [finally] felt like someone cared enough to sit with us and listen,” while another said that they “walked in for food and left with new friends and ideas for how I can help next time.”

Through his efforts, Cesar was able to:

• Distribute 30 packages of nonperishable food;
• Provide 10 hygiene kits for personal and household care;
• Supply 20 first aid kits with wound care and pain relief essentials; and
• Deliver 5 pet support kits (training aids, leashes, toys, ID tags).

*Los Angeles is home to the largest urban Native population in the U.S. In response to the 2025 wildfire crisis, CNAY offered five regional $1,000 micro-grants to Native youth who want to help rebuild their community.