How a 14-year-old girl turned a good deed after the L.A. fires into a thriving nonprofit

Avery Colvert, 14, started Altadena Girls as a pop-up shop to help teenage girls affected by the Eaton Fire in Los Angeles. The mission was to provide a space where girls could rebuild their identities by accessing clothing, makeup, and other essential items. The pop-up shop reached over 42 million people on social media and received support from high-level brands and celebrities. Now, Altadena Girls is planning to open a community center to empower young girls, help them through trauma, and provide long-term support. The Eaton Fire devastated the Altadena community, destroying over 9,400 structures and displacing thousands of people. Colvert's initiative focused on providing more than just basic necessities, recognizing the importance of personal items in shaping one's identity. The pop-up shop received an overwhelming response, with volunteers and donations pouring in from across the city. Celebrities like Paris Hilton, Kerry Washington, and Meghan Markle played a significant role in amplifying the nonprofit's mission. Altadena Girls is now working towards opening a 12,000-square-foot community center in Old Town Pasadena, which will offer therapy rooms, music studios, and dance classes, among other resources. The community center aims to provide a safe and welcoming space for girls to rebuild their lives and access resources that will help them thrive.