Yesterday, MusiCares held a free Health & Wellness Clinic in Altadena for music professionals affected by the 2025 LA wildfires, and the event became a powerful snapshot of where the community stands nearly one year later.
A Community Still Rebuilding & Supporting One Another
Throughout the day, local musicians, engineers, producers, and other music professionals came together for mental health appointments, physical therapy, vision care, hearing support including custom ear molds, and more. What began as a wellness clinic quickly became a place for survivors to connect, many for the first time, and share what they’ve carried since evacuating their homes earlier this year.
Several attendees told us they left with only minutes to spare, grabbing whatever they could fit into their cars: a single instrument if they were lucky. Many lost home studios, lifelong gear collections, generational homes, and the only neighborhoods they had ever known. Among the survivors were many families who have lived in Altadena for generations, some tracing their roots back to the area’s early days.
Stories Shared
One attendee, after meeting with a mental health provider, shared:
“I didn’t realize how badly I needed to speak to someone today. We’ve been so focused on rebuilding our home that we haven’t had a moment to breathe. Just being heard… it took a weight off my chest.”
Another reflected on the financial and emotional toll of losing both home and livelihood:
“Even the jeans I’m wearing today were donated. I lost everything, my house, my family’s history here, the instruments I’ve toured with for decades. What’s kept me grounded is the support from my community, and MusiCares especially. They covered my relocation, my house note, and helped replace the instruments I lost. There’s still so much to figure out, but MusiCares has been there filling the gaps.”
What Attendees Needed Most
Many spoke about:
– The cost of relocation while still paying mortgages or leases on homes no longer standing
– Severe asthma flare-ups and physical health complications from smoke exposure
– Ongoing trauma carried by parents and young children alike
– Loss of creative income due to destroyed instruments and home studios
The clinic’s services — mental health care, PT, vision exams, glasses, custom ear molds, massage therapy, and on-site guidance about MusiCares’ disaster relief — met immediate needs, but also provided emotional grounding and connection.
MusiCares’ Ongoing Role
Since the fires, MusiCares has served as a true safety net for working music professionals and their families across LA, helping with:
– Emergency financial assistance for basic living needs
– Relocation support
– Mortgage/lease assistance
– Instrument replacement
– Long-term customized care through case management
