What do you do in the aftermath of a natural disaster when no government agency or insurance company has the data to prove it’s truly safe to return home? You band together with your neighbors and gather the data yourself. As unbelievable as it sounds, that’s exactly what our guests in this episode did. 

Hear the remarkable story of Jane Lawton Potelle and Dr. Nicole Maccalla, who came together to create Eaton Fire Residents United (EFRU)—a powerful example of grassroots community activism.

Discover the tireless work and vision behind their movement, which has grown from a neighborhood initiative into a trusted partner with researchers from Harvard, USC, and beyond. Their findings are reshaping recovery efforts and changing lives.

And don’t miss this week’s Wellness Lift segment, where we explore simple yet powerful practices for emotional and physical healing after disaster with Chris Tickner, PhD, MF, and Andrea-Marie Stark. 

Resources:

• EFRU (Eaton Fire Residents United) – community map & data submission: EFRU.LA

• California Integrative Therapy – free weekly Zoom support group for standing-structure survivors

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Produced by NOVA