In March 2025, BBF provided a grant to Pasadena Senior Center to support mental health services for older adults impacted by the Los Angeles wildfires. Through this support, the Center expanded access to counseling, support groups, and educational programs for individuals who would otherwise face long wait times or no access to care.

The grant supported the addition of a licensed clinical social worker, allowing the Center to offer one-on-one counseling, group support sessions, and mental health seminars focused on grief, trauma, and emotional resilience. Services were delivered in both English and Spanish and offered in person and virtually, ensuring accessibility for seniors who are homebound or face mobility challenges.

These services reached a population with significant unmet needs, including low-income seniors, Spanish-speaking older adults, and individuals experiencing isolation related to COVID-19, wildfire-related trauma, and the loss of loved ones. Many participants had been unable to access care through traditional providers, where wait times can extend for several months.

As the program was implemented, the need for support proved greater than initially anticipated. Seniors were navigating compounding stressors, including prolonged isolation, grief, and ongoing trauma. In response, Pasadena Senior Center expanded its offerings to include additional group sessions and continued to prioritize accessible, culturally responsive care.

The program addressed immediate needs through grief counseling and emotional stabilization, while also supporting longer-term outcomes by building coping skills, reducing isolation, and strengthening overall well-being. Virtual programming and bilingual services played a critical role in engagement, particularly among Spanish-speaking seniors and those unable to attend in person.

The grant was used as planned to support staffing, program delivery, and expanded access to services. Pasadena Senior Center continues to provide timely, accessible mental health support to older adults, addressing a critical gap in care following the wildfires.

I also want to express my sincere gratitude to BBF for their generous support of this program and for their commitment to improving the health and well‑being of older adults in our community. Your partnership has made a meaningful impact, and we are deeply appreciative. – Mary Avila, Director of Development for Pasadena Senior Center