Written by Jennifer Chien
Translated by H.B. Qin
Edited by Adriana DiBenedetto
Fourteen months after the Eaton Fire, Carolyn Parker arrived at the site where her home once stood, looking upon the land that had been scorched and piled with debris. It was now a flat, open space marked with construction lines. She was overwhelmed with excitement, sadness, and exhaustion. After fourteen months’ waiting, she could finally take the first steps to “go home.”
Groundbreaking Ceremony
The Southern California air on March 17, 2026, was balmy, with temperatures more reminiscent of summer than early spring. Amid weather forecasts predicting record-breaking temperatures, over a dozen volunteers from Tzu Chi USA’s National Headquarters set out under a blazing sun to visit Parker’s former home in Altadena, California. Together with Parker’s family, a local church pastor, and friends, they witnessed the groundbreaking ceremony for rebuilding Parker’s home.
At age 80, Parker has lived in the area for more than half a century. Now, she must begin anew. However, this special gathering of hearts would mark a critical turning point on a journey from loss and distress to finding her way home again.
In August 1971, she moved into her home in Altadena with her eldest son. Her second and youngest sons were born and grew up here, too. In 2022, she lost her husband, who had been with her for many years. For more than 50 years, the house was not only a place to live, but a place that carried their memories and milestones across decades, from the stability she and her husband had worked hard to build together, to measuring her children’s growth, inch by inch.
Soaring Rent After Survival
Late at night on January 7, 2025, Parker and her two sons, who were living with her at the time, fled in a panic before the wildfire struck. After that, “It’s been a long 14 months of going from place to place… hotel, motel,” she said. Parker and her sons had been trying to find a three-bedroom house. But what was alarming was that, after the wildfires, rents in Pasadena soared so high they became unaffordable for the family. Additionally, although Parker can no longer drive for long periods, she must still return home frequently to manage the rebuilding process. Thus, it was not practical for her to rent a house in a city further away.
She worked hard to negotiate with the insurance company, and did not miss any opportunity to seek out available resources.
Parker’s eldest son lives with a cognitive disability and relies on her for daily support. Given the circumstances, she had to accept the insurance company’s claim offer in April last year. They signed a one-year lease for a two-bedroom apartment in Pasadena for $6,500 a month, where she and her eldest son lived.
For Parker, the word “home” represents a practical, heavy, and deeply affectionate place. Home has been a sanctuary for her, a woman who became a single mother at 18 to protect her family.
Therefore, when the fire destroyed her home in Altadena, it profoundly shook the peace she’d built, prompting sleepless nights in concern for her son’s future well-being, fearing that she wouldn’t be able to provide a stable place for him to live when she was gone.
With no other way forward, she could only try her best to rebuild their home as soon as possible, maintaining a positive attitude so as not to let discouragement set in.
Bless this Land
Thanks to Carolyn Parker’s efforts, this land has finally ushered in a new beginning.
At 2 PM, when the temperature was at its highest, Tzu Chi volunteers from various communities joined hands with Parker’s pastor, sisters, youngest son, niece, and friends from her church and dance class. Together, they stood in Parker’s old backyard to witness her and Timothy Kock — the project manager overseeing the rebuilding by Kock Construction Services — make a symbolic shovel cut on the foundation that had been cleared and backfilled.
Pastor E. Lamar Lyas of Pasadena Church led the congregation in prayer, consecrating the site with holy oil amid bright sunlight, the atmosphere both peaceful and powerful.
More than a celebration for a groundbreaking, the ceremony was also a declaration that a family, even after experiencing such a devastating loss, can still bravely return to face life’s challenges with those who care at their side.
At the ceremony, volunteers and friends prayed, Parker’s niece happily took photos, and neighbors whose homes had also been impacted brought congratulatory desserts. The ceremony was by no means grand, but it was incredibly heartwarming as everyone, in their own way, let Parker know she wasn’t alone.
Dedication and Service
Tzu Chi volunteers read a blessing letter from Tzu Chi’s founder, Dharma Master Cheng Yen, as they presented Carolyn Parker and Timothy Kock with $10,000 in aid.
“Carolyn is a kind sister who loves both God and others,” said Pastor E. Lamar Lyas. “She is kind, generous, and enjoys participating in church affairs, and is always willing to go out into the community to help. After the fire, the church participated in community supply work, and Carolyn was one of the main volunteers helping with the project.”
This was Pastor Lyas’s first meeting with Tzu Chi volunteers. He expressed admiration for their work in California and beyond:
And that is remarkable. That is spectacular. So, I want to say as well, again, thank you. Thank you for all of your service. Thank you so much for your compassion for the world and for people in distress and in need. Thank you.
Birds of a Feather Flock Together
Timothy Kock had worked with Carolyn Parker before. After her husband’s passing, Parker had considered renovating his old home office to better accommodate her family’s current needs, but it still held his belongings. When discussing the renovation, Parker was reluctant to discard her late husband’s possessions. That’s when Kock had a heart-to-heart with Parker, expressing, “I told her, Carolyn, sometimes healing is letting things go, okay?”
Through this experience, Kock and Parker became friends. He successfully transformed the old office into a beautiful lounge. In the aftermath of the 2025 Los Angeles wildfires, construction prices in Southern California skyrocketed. Parker, trusting Kock, directly commissioned him to undertake the reconstruction project. And, Kock, as before, surpassed expectations, assisting Parker in rebuilding her 2,000-square-foot, three-bedroom, two-bathroom home for under $800,000.
“She’s a genuine, caring, warm person,” said Kock. Regarding his thoughts on Tzu Chi, he said, “First impression? I would say excited and curious, and willing. If you guys weren’t willing to help others, you wouldn’t be here. If you weren’t curious, you wouldn’t be here. You guys are here. You’re helping someone in need.”
Mrs. Parker, Carolyn, she’s good people. And good people attract good people. And I can say the same for [Tzu Chi].
Unceasing Care
Carolyn Parker is grateful to her family and friends who have accompanied her along the way, as well as for the emergence of Tzu Chi.
“In February, after the fire, I got an email, and I went down to the [Tzu Chi USA San Gabriel Valley Service Center] location. I just followed the street, and there were many fire survivors. A lot of my neighbors were there at your location. They sat with us, gave us a list, told us about your foundation,” said Parker, continuing, “And gave us gift cards and dishes, which I’m using right now in my house that I’m renting.”
What impressed her most was not the supplies, but the unceasing care and support she felt from Tzu Chi volunteers.
“It was so very helpful. And not to mention that, during these 14 months, the foundation sent me emails. They kept saying, ‘How are you doing? You were here, but where are you now? What’s your process?’” shared Parker. “And I tell them where I am, and they said, ‘You need anything right now?’ I said, ‘No, right now I’m doing pretty good.’ And then the last time when they said, ‘How are you doing?’ I said, ‘Well, you know, I’m getting ready to build. I’m getting my permit, and I may need some help over here. Because we were short on funds,’ and you came in and helped me again.”
That is just so amazing, and I can't thank you enough for that.
Lasting Companionship
Often, a solid companion is a precious source of strength in times of crisis.
“After a major disaster, many families that need long-term support are those who have entered the reconstruction phase,” said Tzu Chi volunteer Huiping Wang. “It might seem that they have passed the most difficult time, but in fact, the really complicated, long, expensive, and headache-inducing challenges only begin at this time.”
The Tzu Chi volunteer team assisting with the Los Angeles wildfire reconstruction process had learned about Carolyn Parker’s situation after conducting on-site visits and assessment meetings. They also saw that she clearly knew her goals and was determined to achieve them.
Carolyn demonstrated remarkable resilience and kindness. Furthermore, she possessed a very clear plan and understanding of her future direction and the necessary actions.
It is expected that Parker’s new home will be completed after nine months of construction.
“And I’m grateful because of the help people gave me,” Parker said. “I took advantage of what was out there so that I can possibly be in my house by the end of this year, Christmas time. I’m not going to hold anybody to that. But, I feel that I’ll be in here by April 2027.”
Going Home
Carolyn Parker spoke of her diligence ever since graduating from high school — always paying bills on time, upholding honesty and trustworthiness, and handling personal finances carefully. She would never have considered borrowing funds for her house otherwise, which already had its mortgage paid off. Parker hopes that once this new home is built, she can invite relatives and friends to gather at home during holidays or birthdays, just like before, and watch her grandchildren barbecuing and chatting in the backyard.
Parker mused that her granddaughter, who will be graduating from high school this year, spends much of her free time thinking about prom and preparing for college, and wished she had more time to share in those softer conversations, too. She also shared her hope that this new roof over her head will finally allow her to achieve a restful night’s sleep.
As members of Tzu Chi in the USA celebrate the 60th anniversary of Tzu Chi’s founding in 2026, volunteers will continue to uphold the principles established by Dharma Master Cheng Yen and dedicate themselves to cultivating a global community powered by love and mutual care.
