When disaster strikes, young people have the power to make a difference — and Roots & Shoots was created to help them do just that. Designed to support youth in taking action for their local communities, the program inspires changemakers to turn their compassion into meaningful impact.
In the wake of the devastating Los Angeles wildfires, which destroyed homes and businesses and displaced both people and animals, JGI is honored to see the Roots & Shoots community step up. These changemakers are proving that even small actions can bring hope and relief in times of crisis.
Mobilizing Relief for Fire Survivors
Daya, a dedicated Roots & Shoots parent and leader at Kinetic Academy, has long been a force for good. Working at Trader Joe’s in Huntington Beach, Daya heard firsthand from customers whose lives has been upended by the fires — some had lost their homes entirely, while others were staying with friends and family, waiting for news.
Determined to help, she reached out to the Collidescope Foundation, a nonprofit organization focused on mobilizing resources for disaster relief and environmental initiatives, and quickly got a list of needed donations and drop-off locations. With her store captain’s approval, she launched a fire relief drive at Trader Joe’s, setting up a donation box and rallying coworkers to contribute. The response was overwhelming — within a day, the box was full.
Daya also spread the word at her son’s school, and soon donations from school families poured in as well. Friends and coworkers, both local and across the country, stepped up to help. In just four days, she and a group of volunteers caravanned the supplies to those in need.
“I was absolutely inspired by Jane’s words, ‘Inspire hope through action.’ I felt obligated to do something, and everything fell into place to make it happen.”
Taking Action for Displaced Animals
While people are working to rebuild their lives, animals impacted by the fires are also in need of care. One LA-based Roots & Shoots group, moved by the devastation in their own community, has launched a schoolwide project to raise funds for displaced animals.
Now, heartbroken by the fires affecting the same region, they’re channeling their compassion into action. Their project encourages students to bring spare change to school, with dedicated collection jars available at lunch and in the school office. Roots & Shoots members are there to help and thank donors for their generosity. The money raised is being donated to Best Friends Animal Society, which is actively working to support animals displaced by the fires.
Uniting for Recovery
Amidst the hardship, we are finding strength and determination through local organizations that are stepping up to support affected communities with essential relief efforts. LA Climate Week and California Volunteers are providing on-the-ground aid from donation drives to mental health support, as well as mobilizing volunteers and critical resources to help individuals, families, and businesses rebuild. JGI is proud to amplify their efforts, connecting meaningful opportunities and helping to direct resources where they are needed most. By uniting our efforts, we can help impacted communities recover together.
Take Action: How You Can Help
In times of crisis, it is easy to feel overwhelmed — but young people have the power to create real change. That is why Roots & Shoots was created: to support and inspire youth who want to make a difference in their communities. Whether it is organizing donation drives, raising awareness, or supporting relief efforts, every action — no matter how small — contributes to something greater.
If you are looking for ways to help, consider launching your own community project. Our 🔗 Roots & Shoots planning guide can help you get started, and the 🔗 LA Roots & Shoots Basecamp is a great resource for connecting with other young changemakers who are making an impact.
Photo credits, in order of appearance: Youko Amemiya, Roots & Shoots member Daya
