United in the face of tragedy, Flintridge Prep banded together for positive impact.

As wildfires spread devastation in January, Flintridge Prep students sprang into action to provide relief. The response, big and small, felt like a reflex—the empathy driven by instinct.

“I really think that we are a community of compassion,” says Director of Counseling and Student Support Ann Vradenburg. “The students proved they really are who we hoped they are.”

From FLINT Bazaar to Relief Boutique

What began as a pivot soon became a movement. Having already started planning the annual FLINT Bazaar, Flintridge Prep Leadership Initiative (FLINT) co-president Elizabeth Guyer ’26 began soliciting donations for displaced families. Days later, her home was overflowing.

“People always say Flintridge Prep is a community, and that became very obvious because of how many people were excited to come and help,” says Elizabeth. “There’s a general empathy and kindness throughout this community.”

As students worked to distribute goods, Elizabeth received an offer from parent Jennet Chow, co-CEO of Jellypop shoes: combine efforts at her Evolution Design Lab headquarters, where students could tap into the entrepreneurial parent’s vast network of sponsors, donors, experts, and volunteers. Within days, Pasadena Relief Boutique opened to the public, offering shoppers a selection of carefully curated clothing, brand-new shoes, diapers, toys, and makeup.

Introducing the Disaster Relief Fund: Moving forward with intention

Within a week of the fire, Flintridge Prep, consistent with the school’s educational mission, created a disaster relief fund to provide long-term support for students, faculty, and staff impacted by disasters. The fund contributes resources to disaster-related financial aid for tuition and other school expenses, mental health and counseling, and enhanced benefits for employees—all with the goal of furnishing unwavering support for our community members on the long road ahead to full recovery.

To learn more or contribute to the fund, visit flintridgeprep.org/relief.

Chow and students from FLINT, Student Community Action Council (SCAC), Student Senate, and other groups made it their mission to create a sense of comfort by providing visitors with childcare and personal shoppers—and emotional support for one another. “What started as a response to a crisis became something far greater: a gathering place, a symbol of resilience, and a source of healing for the entire community,” says Chow.

In all, more than 1,200 families walked away with replacement items. Students, meanwhile, emerged with much more. “I think the students learned more from this event than they will probably learn from any other event in their lives,” says Vradenburg. “The growth that they got is going to be a huge factor in who they are as adults.”

Changing course

When Carl Li ’25 started the Project Ripples nonprofit in 2023, he was seeking to connect communities through art. Along the way, he accrued a vast volunteer network. When the fires broke out, they went to work.

Playing dispatcher along with Elliott Oakes ’25, Carl directed dozens of volunteers to different relief efforts. They showed up at the Rose Bowl on day one and were fixtures at Mosaic, HavASole, the YMCA, and, eventually, the Relief Boutique. “Our goal was to amplify the efforts already in place,” says Carl. “Our mission is always to adapt based on the needs of the community.”

Project Ripples wasn’t the only group that changed course. Each year, 8th graders undertake Community Impact Projects to affect positive change. For some students, the fires presented opportunities to transition their efforts to focus on relief.

When Colin Rao ’29 discovered that the small food pantry he had installed outside an Altadena recycling center had burned down, he rebuilt it and stocked it with PPE. Stephan Taylor II ’29 refocused his project to help his Altadena neighbors salvage items from their burned homes.

“There’s a sense of problem solving built into most students here,” says Carl. “We get this confidence—almost audacity—to believe that, ‘Yes, I am ready to make a change.’ ”

Finding sanctuary

When school resumed on January 21, the community reconnected at Morning Meeting, and students who needed support found it there. Two outside therapists were on hand to provide free sessions. Deans worked to replace lost essentials and intangibles, from computers and PE gear to a favorite class t-shirt. SCAC arranged for therapy dogs to come to school, and Taylor Meyer, school counselor, hosted group rock painting. The Center for Student Support and Well-Being offered students a quiet place to stay after school.

I think the students learned more from this event than they will probably learn from any other event in their lives. --Ann Vradenburg, Director of Counseling and Student Support

“We needed to provide whatever they needed,” says Vradenburg. “That included a normal place to retreat.”

An instinct for empathy

During this shocking moment in California history, perhaps the least surprising thing is how quickly the Flintridge Prep community stepped up to help.

“Flintridge Prep fosters a culture of action. There’s an understanding among the students that when there’s a need, you step up—because it’s the right thing to do,” says Chow.

For many students, this moment in time will shape the types of adults they’ll become as they step forward to change their world. “Through the fire, through the ashes, we’ve seen the beauty and the strength of the community to just take action,” says Carl. “We’re always going to look back at this as a catalyst to make a community whole.”