Altadena Girls, a movement founded by 14-year-old Avery Colvert during the devastating Los Angeles wildfires, has rapidly grown from a local relief effort into a powerful nonprofit. With hands-on support from Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, and her Archewell Foundation, the organization is now opening a community center in Pasadena to provide not just essentials, but also a space for healing, confidence, and long-term empowerment for young girls in crisis.
The spirit of resilience often shines brightest in the face of adversity, and few stories exemplify this more powerfully than that of Altadena Girls. Born from the devastation of the Los Angeles wildfires, this youth-led initiative has blossomed into a beacon of hope, spearheaded by a remarkable teenager, Avery Colvert. Her vision, initially a simple act of community support, has resonated deeply, drawing the attention and active participation of figures like Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, transforming a moment of crisis into a lasting movement for empathy and activism.
The Genesis of Altadena Girls: A Crisis Ignites a Call for Confidence
In the aftermath of the harrowing Los Angeles wildfires, communities grappled with immense loss. Among those affected was 14-year-old Avery Colvert, an eighth-grader whose school, the Eliot Arts Magnet Academy, had tragically burned down. While her own home was spared, Avery witnessed firsthand the profound impact on her friends and neighbors, many of whom lost everything. This experience sparked an urgent desire to help, particularly for girls her age who were facing not just material loss, but a crisis of identity.
Avery launched an Instagram account, @altadenagirls, initially to thank her community for emergency aid. However, her mission quickly broadened. Recognizing a unique need beyond food and shelter, she put out a call for clothing, beauty products, and small essentials that would “help my friends feel confident and like themselves again.” As Avery eloquently stated in her interview with Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, “When you lose everything, your identity is stripped, and you feel like you don’t have a way to express yourself. I wanted to find a way to restore a sense of normalcy in their lives so they could feel like themselves again,” as reported by Town & Country.
A Movement Takes Hold: From Viral Post to Enduring Impact
Avery’s heartfelt post struck a chord, quickly going viral and attracting support far beyond Los Angeles. This burgeoning movement caught the attention of Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, an L.A. native known for her philanthropic endeavors. Moved by Avery’s mission, Meghan joined volunteers to organize and distribute donations to families in need. Her involvement wasn’t superficial; she reportedly spent “multiple hours in a day” volunteering, even getting “stylist training” to help girls choose outfits, actively disproving any claims of mere “photo opps,” as detailed in reporting by Marie Claire.
The Duchess’s Archewell Foundation also played a pivotal role, providing continued support that extended beyond the initial crisis, notably helping to secure the location for Altadena Girls’ new permanent community center. The initiative also garnered celebrity endorsements from figures such as Paris Hilton, Ariana Grande (whose R.E.M. Beauty brand contributed), and Bella Hadid (through her Orebella products), among others. This widespread backing underscored the universal appeal of Altadena Girls’ empathetic approach.
Beyond Relief: The Vision for a Community Center
In the months following the fires, Avery, now 15, and her mother, Lauren Sandidge, along with a dedicated network of volunteers, have transformed Altadena Girls from an emergency relief effort into a sustainable, long-term solution. Their commitment culminated in the recent opening of a new 12,000-square-foot community center in Pasadena, a significant milestone that expands their capacity to serve the community, as confirmed by CBS News Los Angeles.
The center is designed to be a hub of empowerment and healing, offering more than just material donations. Plans include providing mental wellness services, dance and yoga classes (with a dedicated space sponsored by Alo Yoga), and music rooms equipped with guitars, amps, and programming from Fender. A creative space, sponsored by Paris Hilton, will offer vision boards and other engaging activities. The aim is to create a welcoming environment where young girls can regain a sense of self and find support.
Tony Valentino
A Mother-Daughter Endeavor and a Deeply Personal Connection
The heart of Altadena Girls lies in the inspiring partnership between Avery and her mother, Lauren. While admitting their collaboration isn’t “perfect” given Avery’s age, Lauren emphasizes their core principle: “we’re planning with girls so that they can talk about what they need.” This collaborative spirit ensures the initiative remains deeply rooted in the authentic needs of its young beneficiaries.
Meghan Markle’s interview brought a deeply personal touch to the conversation. Reflecting on Avery’s extraordinary efforts, Meghan shared her hopes for her own 4-year-old daughter, Lilibet: “My goodness, if our daughter turns out to be anything like you, I’ll be the proudest mom.” This sentiment, shared with Town & Country, highlighted Meghan’s admiration and underscored the universal desire for children to embody such compassion and leadership.
Art Streiber
A Call to Action and the Future of Empowerment
Avery’s advice for others facing community crises is straightforward yet profound: “In a moment of crisis, I couldn’t sit there and do nothing. I was so angry that this had happened. The best advice I could give is to ignore any thoughts like, Oh, you can’t do this. I took a step forward and said, ‘This is what I’m going to do, and I’m going to do it now.’” This proactive approach, coupled with Lauren’s emphasis on “restoring a sense of dignity” by asking people what they truly need, forms the bedrock of Altadena Girls’ philosophy.
Looking ahead, Avery’s goal is for every girl who walks into the community center to “feel inspired.” She aims to “create a new generation of women who feel confident that they can do anything.” With ambitious plans for sustainable programming and continued community support, Altadena Girls is poised to be an enduring force, offering a vital space for healing, expression, and empowerment for years to come. The organization, fiscally sponsored by the Edward Charles Foundation and applying for its own 501(c)(3) status, is a powerful testament to youth leadership and the profound impact of collective empathy.
Art Streiber
