On my first day as President and CEO of the California Community Foundation (CCF) I reflect on the difficult times we are in as our world confronts complex and somber challenges. Indeed, we live in a time when our collective resilience and humanity are being tested.
On September 8, a magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck Morocco in the High Atlas Mountains, about 45 miles from the city of Marrakech. The earthquake devastated towns and villages in the isolated mountain areas and injured thousands of people, leaving many without shelter and basic infrastructure. As one of the strongest earthquakes the country has experienced in over a century, there have been over 2,500 deaths reported.
Los Angeles County continues to be home to refugees and asylum seekers fleeing political, civil, and economic unrest. Together, government, philanthropy and community-based organizations can meaningfully and effectively support refugees and asylum seekers and sustain a coordinated resettlement process for the region.
On August 8, a devastating fire quickly spread in western Maui, taking many residents by surprise. Thousands have been forced to flee their homes and over 270 building structures were damaged or destroyed, including in the historic town of Lahaina. Maui County officials have reported over 50 deaths with dozens more injured. The President has declared a national emergency to expand federal aid to support the community.
Our homelessness crisis is a symptom of the larger affordable housing crisis. The latest homeless count results, released on June 29, 2023, document a 10% increase in the numbers of our unhoused neighbors, numbers will continue to grow unless we build more affordable housing.
The California Community Foundation (CCF) marked its 108-year history by moving into its first permanent home earlier this year! As a community foundation, CCF is committed to addressing complex challenges and unleashing the extraordinary potential of Los Angeles County.