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Hope & Healing Supper Club: Building Resilience, Connection, and Care

This summer, Pasadena Village welcomed the community to the Hope & Healing Supper Club, a six-part wellness series being held from July 31 through October 9. Created in response to the devastating Eaton Fires, the program was designed specifically to support LGBTQ+ adults who often face unique challenges in the aftermath of disaster. Open to the wider public, the series brought together neighbors, friends, and allies in an intentional space for reflection, healing, and connection.

When wildfires strike, their damage extends far beyond burned homes and scarred landscapes. For many, the losses also include disrupted routines, fractured neighborhoods, and a profound sense of disconnection. The Eaton Fires, which swept through Altadena and Pasadena, left hundreds displaced. But for members of the LGBTQ+ community, the impact was compounded by systemic gaps in relief efforts.

Recognizing this need, Pasadena Village hired Kieran Highsmith to help coordinate fire relief with a focus on LGBTQ+ adults. Kieran envisioned the Supper Club as both a practical and emotional lifeline. “The supper club was started as support for LGBTQ+ folks affected by the fires,” she explains. “The queer community often falls through the cracks of fire relief. We wanted to make sure people could connect with resources, but just as importantly, have a safe space to talk about what they were going through surrounded by people who understood.”

Each Supper Club evening begins with a guided session from 5:00 to 6:00 PM focusing on themes such as resilience, grounding, compassion, and reclaiming a sense of safety. These sessions are facilitated by trained professionals from Project HOPE, an international NGO with decades of experience helping communities recover from crises. Afterward, participants share a meal prepared by Altadena restaurants, all of which continue to be impacted by the fire. This time around the table isn’t just about nourishment—it is about trust, camaraderie, and the healing that comes from breaking bread together.

The series unfolded with topics tailored to the complex aftermath of disaster. On September 11, Managing the Uncontrollable offered tools for calming the nervous system and finding clarity during uncertainty. Two weeks later, What Is Safety? encouraged participants to reconnect with their bodies and begin rebuilding self-trust. The final session on October 9, Rooted in Kindness, will focus on cultivating self-compassion through affirmations. 

What has emerged from these evenings, however, is more than a program—it is the beginning of a community. Kieran reflects on the conversations that took place: “Yes, people talked about the fires and what they had lost. But they also talked about what they were facing months later. Some were grieving pets. Others were going through breakups or big life transitions. What we heard most was that people felt untethered—from their neighborhoods, from the queer community, and from one another. The displacement caused by the fires only deepened that sense of isolation.”

The Supper Club addresses these feelings not only through discussion, but also through mindfulness practices, guided reflection, storytelling, and even music. These activities encourage participants to care for their emotional wellbeing and provide simple, practical tools they can return to in their daily lives. The focus is not just on processing grief, but also on cultivating resilience and self-care strategies for the long journey of rebuilding.

Behind the program’s thoughtful design stood Project HOPE, whose role was vital in shaping its structure and content. Known worldwide for its health and relief services in disaster-affected communities, the organization emphasizes both global expertise and local sensitivity. Stacie Yeldell, a mental health advisor with Project HOPE, explained: “In the wake of the LA wildfires—and given the longstanding systemic challenges in this region—it’s clear that mental health support must be a priority, not an afterthought. What I value most about Project HOPE’s approach is that we don’t rely on one-size-fits-all solutions. Through our mental health and psychosocial assessments, we learn the unique needs of each community, which allows us to build culturally grounded programs that can make a lasting impact.”

For Pasadena Village, hosting the Supper Club has been a powerful reminder of the importance of intentional, safe spaces for healing. The fires may have altered the physical landscape of Altadena and Pasadena, but the gatherings have shown that resilience and connection can take root even amid loss.

The Hope & Healing Supper Club is not just a series of meetings; it is an investment in people’s ability to recover, reconnect, and thrive. It demonstrates that in the face of disaster compassion, community, and shared care are as essential as shelter or supplies. In moments of upheaval, it is the act of coming together—sharing stories, meals, and simple practices of kindness—that helps rebuild not only homes, but also lives.