The early days of January brought devastation to the Los Angeles area as the Palisades and Eaton Fires swept through, leaving a trail of loss in their wake. In addition to the destruction of homes, families faced another heartbreaking blow: the disruption of community anchors — most notably the stability and connection provided by schools.
The impact on students at Aveson Charter School was profound. The fire fully consumed the school, separating students from their friends, teachers, and daily routine.
Finding Community Through GO Campaign
Amidst this crisis, the Southern California-based GO Campaign, an organization dedicated to empowering vulnerable children around the world, found itself facing a dilemma. The well-established mission of GO Campaign focuses on year-long programs addressing education, vocational training, and support for children with disabilities, among other things, rather than direct disaster relief. Yet, the palpable impact of the fires on neighbors created an undeniable call to action.
Amy Marquis notes in Nonprofit Quarterly that while immediate aid is crucial in a disaster, organizations that focus on their core competencies and collaborate with other organizations doing the same can often provide more impactful and sustainable support. How could GO Campaign effectively help the community while remaining true to its mission?
While “mission creep” could have led GO Campaign to duplicate the incredible relief efforts of disaster aid organizations and local governments providing food and clothing, the staff instead considered how their expertise could offer a distinct form of support. GO’s work centers on the well-being of vulnerable children, often addressing their mental and emotional needs. According to the American Psychiatric Association, providing children opportunities for normalcy, in-person connection, and enjoyment can be crucial in helping them cope with traumatic events and promote their emotional recovery.
A Day at the Zoo: Mission-Aligned Support in Action
GO Campaign partnered with the Los Angeles Zoo, which is no stranger to community outreach and partnerships. The Zoo provided complimentary admission, allowing the GO Campaign to focus on handling logistics and covering prohibitive transportation costs so that a busload of Aveson Charter School students could have a no-cost day of adventure and fun with their friends.
The trip proved to be a powerful form of healing. From the moment the children arrived, their energy was palpable. Guided by passionate docents, the students roamed through immersive exhibits, delighting in the eerie call of a cassowary and the unexpected speed of a scurrying armadillo.
For children who had endured weeks of displacement and remote learning, the outing provided something far more valuable than just a change of scenery — it gave them a moment to reclaim the joy of childhood. One teacher, reflecting on the day, remarked that it was the “best field trip since the fire,” surpassing other popular locations they visited.
Leading with Strength and Staying True to Mission
GO Campaign’s response highlights the power of staying grounded in mission during a crisis. Rather than overextend or attempt to solve every problem, the organization focused on what it does best: supporting the emotional and educational well-being of children.
The lesson is clear: When disaster strikes, the most effective way to help may not be to pivot, but to show up with your strongest tools in hand. What you have to offer may just be what families in your community will need from you.
How to Help
GO Campaign works with grassroots projects aimed at changing lives and transforming communities, one child at a time. Through a unique grant-making process and capacity building, GO Campaign helps nonprofit partners develop programs to provide children and young adults with basic human needs such as shelter, food, clean water, education, medical care, vocational training, and income-generating activities.
Seth Willey is the Senior Development Officer for GO Campaign, a non-profit organization that works with grassroots Local Heroes to give opportunities to vulnerable children around the world.
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